Spain has implemented strict measures to combat violence against women, yet the number of femicides remains alarmingly high. A digital art project called “Artrededor” in Madrid is aiming to raise local awareness of these murders by mapping their locations. The project uses a virtual map to mark sites where femicides occurred, providing graphic textual and audio descriptions of each case. For instance, Case 078 details a horrific murder where a woman was stabbed 67 times by her partner with two large knives.

Developed by Spanish conceptual artist Jana Leo and her sister Isabel using official data, the project seeks to highlight the proximity and reality of femicides. Leo stated, “I want everyone to know where a woman was murdered in their neighborhood so they can visit the site and learn her story.” It covers 157 women killed in the Madrid region over the past 20 years and is updated annually.

At an event in Madrid, participants discussed the project, emphasizing the need for education on violence against women in schools and universities, particularly for boys and young men. Some suggested teaching men how to manage anger and emotions, while others proposed corporate training programs.

Spain is often viewed as a role model in the European Union for its fight against femicide. In 2004, it became the first EU member to recognize gender-based violence as a systemic issue, enacting comprehensive laws and measures. Detailed statistics have been maintained for 20 years, showing a slight decline; in 2025, 48 women were killed by men in Spain. Additionally, there are 461 specialized criminal courts handling cases of violence against women.

However, significant challenges persist. Last year, GPS-equipped electronic bracelets intended for convicted offenders to protect potential victims were found to be faulty—easily hackable and unreliable for tracking. This year, public outrage erupted when it was revealed that 6 out of 10 women murdered in January and February had previously filed police reports. Spanish Minister for Equality Ana Redondo conceded, “Sometimes we realize that we do not arrive in time and that the protective measures are sometimes not agile and effective enough.”

In the search for potential solutions, artificial intelligence (AI) is being explored. A small team at Carlos III University in Madrid is researching whether AI can detect if a woman is a victim of violence based on her voice. Researcher Carmen Pelaez Moreno explained, “The trauma suffered by victims can be measured in their voices because it changes the way they express themselves, sound, and react.” The project involved 150 women, including 50 victims of male violence, with psychologists participating. AI successfully identified victims in about 80% of cases.

Pelaez Moreno noted that the technology’s potential lies in helping women who often struggle to recognize themselves as victims. It could serve as an early warning tool in settings like doctors’ offices or police stations. She added, “This AI tool works like a warning and advice to take a closer look—it could be that this person is a victim of violence.” However, more funding is needed before such an AI tool can be deployed on a larger scale.

For app creator Leo, the key is remembrance. She views “Artrededor” as a method to raise awareness and support those affected by violence, drawing a parallel to commemorations for war victims. This article was translated from German.

Source: www.dw.com