Edited volume/Special issue
by Sara Delmedico

Tentatively to be published in Chronica Mundi

‘As most of the victims, Manuela was rendered invisible’. With these words, judge Ricardo Pérez Manrique concludes his concurring opinion on the case Manuela et al. versus El Salvador discussed before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and ended with the judgement of 2nd November 2021. By providing a platform for interdisciplinary and international dialogue, this volume aims to explore the various dimensions of gendered violence and the state’s role, thus illuminating the many invisibles as Manuela.
The notion of gender refers to a combination of characteristics fluctuating across time and cultures, and revolving around identity and the image of one’s own self: it is ‘a complexity whose totality is permanently deferred’ (Butler, 1990) and ‘varies from society to society’ (WHO). Gendered violence could be experienced by anyone and is rooted in discrimination, inequality, and in the idea of heteronormativity (Warner, 1991) as the “natural” status quo. By uncovering gendered violence and the ambiguous societal and statal approach that made it to be considered a tolerable component of life until recent times, this volume examines how and if violence, in its different forms and through its several means, is an expression of power and control over bodies and minds and affects health. In this context, the State has a critical role in combating, eradicating, preventing but also in perpetuating violence. This volume encourages an evaluation, and reevaluation, of state obligations in protecting rights, preserving values, achieving social justice through a gendered perspective, and aims to feature insights from diverse geographical areas, also providing a comparative analysis of the state’s role in different cultural and political contexts.
Articles can address a wide range of topics related to gendered violence and the role of the state, including but not limited to:

Gendered violence and legal frameworks
Law enforcement and judicial responses to gendered violence
Policies addressing gendered violence
Gendered violence and the impact of cultural and societal norms
Gendered violence and intersectionality
State, education and awareness in preventing gendered violence
Gendered violence, State and the influence of technology and social media
State and support systems and services
Gendered violence and international perspectives and approaches


Please, send your abstract (250-300 words) together with a short bio by April 30th to womenviolenceandthemedia@gmail.com.