#NiUnaMenos (“Not One [Woman] Less”) is a feminist movement originating in Argentina June 2015 protesting femicides (gender-based murders of women) and gender violence. The hashtag launched after journalist Marcela Romero’s murder in Rufino prompted writers, journalists, and activists to organize massive demonstrations demanding government action against epidemic levels of violence against women.

Mass Mobilization

The first #NiUnaMenos march occurred June 3, 2015, when an estimated 200,000-300,000 people filled Buenos Aires’ streets, with simultaneous protests in 80+ Argentine cities. The movement’s rapid growth reflected frustration with inadequate police response, judicial system failures, and normalized machismo culture contributing to one femicide every 30 hours in Argentina. Organizers used Twitter to coordinate decentralized actions, creating viral testimonial threads of survivors sharing experiences.

Regional Expansion

#NiUnaMenos quickly spread across Latin America 2015-2017 as women in Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil adopted the slogan for their own anti-femicide campaigns. Each country localized the movement: Mexico’s version addressed murdered women in Ciudad Juárez and disappeared girls, while Chile’s focused on domestic violence legal reforms. By 2016, the hashtag appeared in over 30 countries, influencing Spain’s feminist strikes and Italy’s “Non Una Di Meno” movement.

Legislative Impact

The movement pressured Argentine lawmakers to strengthen femicide penalties and create comprehensive gender violence registries. The 2016 passage of emergency action plans for gender violence directly responded to #NiUnaMenos sustained pressure. Critics argued governmental responses remained performative without adequate funding or judicial accountability, leading to continued activist demands through 2019-2020.

Sources: The Guardian (2015), Latin American Perspectives (2017), Página/12 (2016)