Violent Female Deaths 'Epidemic' in Honduras

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The number of women killed in violent incidents has surged in Honduras, already the world's deadliest country, and has hit epidemic levels, a rights group said Wednesday.

Incidents of violent female deaths skyrocketed 263 percent between 2005 and 2013 in the South American nation, a study from the Women's Rights Center showed. 

Twelve women out of every 100,000 inhabitants die in violent episodes, according to the report. 

"Epidemic" levels are defined as at least 8.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to the World Health Organization.

"So these crimes have become an epidemic," Claudia Herrmannsdorfer, spokeswoman for the organization, told Agence France Presse.

The group said that in 2013, one woman was killed every 14 hours -- 636 in total throughout the year.

Female deaths dropped slightly to 526 the following year. 

The need for access to justice is overwhelming, as 94 percent of the crimes go unpunished, Herrmannsdorfer said, noting that most of the killed women were likely involved in organized crime.

"But these crimes still must be investigated. All lives are sacred," she added.

Honduras has the world's highest murder rate -- 68 for every 100,000 residents, according to the National University Violence Monitoring Group.

Photo source: msf.org

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