Francisca Valenzuela is paying homage to women around the world on International Women’s Day (March 8) with her feminist anthem “Por Qué Me Lo Hiciste?” inspired by stories of real women.
In the a cappella rendition of “Por Qué Me Lo Hiciste? (Why Did You Do This To Me?),” the Chilean singer-songwriter tackles the topic of femicide, or violence against women, a social issue that affects women in Latin America and all over the world.
“This song takes flight from confusion, anger and lament over what violence and abuse can cause,” Valenzuela said about the song. “But it’s because of that violence and abuse that I won’t stay silent, I won’t stay static and I won’t stay alone. It’s a call for collective action.”
Femicide claims the lives of 12 women a day in Latin America and 98 percent of gender-related killings go unprosecuted, according to the United Nations. Furthermore, Latin America is home to 14 of the 25 countries with the highest rates of femicide in the world.
Delivering a powerful and evocative interpretation of “Por Qué Me Lo Hiciste?,” Valenzuela is later joined by backing vocalists Luciana García Huidobro, María Cordero, Annalise Drake, Elisa González.
Watch the video, directed by Brigitte Kattan Wrighton, below.
Valenzuela’s recent album La Fortaleza explores self-discovery and multiple issues that affect the Latinx community. “Whatever la lucha the struggle] is, take that vulnerability as something strong and part of the process,” she previously told Billboard. “For me this album is about that strength in being vulnerable as well as the strength of being loud and raising your fist and finding a place within yourself and the collective.”
