Haciendo mujeres: Violencia de género como “crímenes de identidad”

Abstract

In this paper I will argue that gender violence in the Argentinian Dictatorship (1976-1983) and in current femicides has two dimensions. One dimension is particular and repressive, since by means of such violence, the victim’s identity is sought to be swept away; the other one is a productive and gender-based dimension, because it is intended to produce/define a stable gender identity. Women are not killed exclusively because they are women, but in order to produce, to make women. In this regard, power crimes (Segato) will be characterized as identity crimes. The violence directed towards a particular body, is in fact directed to every woman, as it aims at disciplining them so as to manage a feminine identity and its consequent vulnerability. In turn, violent acts are foundational to male power and, therefore, gender-based violence also produces the male identity.