The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) presented a new specialized methodology for analyzing femicide and violent deaths of women and girls. This initiative, part of the Spotlight Programme, aims to improve the quality of investigations and strengthen access to justice. The tool proposes a technical model for the structured review of cases to determine if authorities meet the standards of due diligence in such crimes. According to OHCHR, the lack of this approach can lead to incomplete or biased investigations. The methodology seeks to verify whether authorities consider the context of violence against women, which is fundamental to correctly identifying crimes and those responsible. The objective is to reduce impunity and strengthen institutions. OHCHR also pointed out that this tool will make it possible to identify areas for opportunity and formulate concrete recommendations to improve the institutional performance of prosecutor's offices and justice agencies. The document is directed at ministerial, judicial authorities, and human rights organizations, with the purpose of strengthening technical capacities in the investigation of femicides. This approach is framed within efforts to reduce impunity in femicide cases, a phenomenon that continues to represent one of the main challenges in the area of human rights and justice. The tool seeks to detect flaws in investigations. According to OHCHR, the methodology allows for a systematic evaluation of the quality of investigations, as well as to detect omissions, delays, or deficiencies that may hinder the clarification of cases. The analysis contemplates key aspects such as evidence collection, chain of custody, the performance of experts and public prosecutors, in addition to the attention provided to indirect victims, such as family members. Gender perspective, a key element. One of the central axes of the tool is the incorporation of a gender perspective in the review of files.
