A descriptive medicolegal study of femicides in Zagazig City, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Femicide represents the most severe manifestation of gender-based violence. Systematic data on femicide in Egypt remain limited despite its significant societal impact. This study analyzes epidemiological and medicolegal aspects of femicide cases to identify risk factors among vulnerable populations and inform evidence-based prevention policies.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated 55 femicide cases autopsied at the Egyptian Forensic Medical Authority in Zagazig City, Sharqia governorate, Egypt, during the period from July 1st, 2022, to December 31st, 2023. Victim, perpetrator, crime circumstance, and postmortem examination data were collected and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Results indicate that familial perpetrators accounted for 58.2 % of cases, followed by current/former husbands (25.5 %) and boyfriends (10.9 %). Victims primarily resided in rural areas (61.8 %), had attained school-level education (80.0 %), were married (52.4 %), and had a mean age of 28.9 ± 13.5 years. The majority of perpetrators were male (94.5 %), resided in rural areas (67.3 %), were married (69.1 %), employed (70.9 %), and had school-level education (70.9 %), with a mean age of 32.7 ± 7.7 years. Sharp force trauma accounted for (23.6 %), blunt force trauma (21.8 %), and asphyxiation (20.0 %) of homicide methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Femicide is a multifaceted crime influenced by cultural, social, educational, and economic factors. Multicenter studies across all Egyptian governorates are needed to elucidate region-specific risk factors and formulate targeted policies to reduce femicide in Egypt.