A shocking new report by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has revealed a staggering global trend: approximately 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed in 2023, with more than 60%—over 51,000—being killed by their intimate partners or family members. This means that, on average, one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes around the world. The findings shed light on the devastating scale of femicide and gender-based violence, particularly in the context of intimate relationships and family structures.
Femicide Crisis in Africa and Beyond
According to the report, Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicides. This is followed by the Americas and Oceania, where similar patterns of gender-based violence continue to rise. IIn Europe and the Americas, intimate partners mostly killed femicide victims, while other regions saw family members as primary perpetrators. The report reveals that femicide is a global issue, transcending geographic and cultural boundaries, requiring worldwide action.
UN Women Calls for Urgent Action
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized that femicide and other forms of violence against women are preventable. IShe emphasized the need for strong legislation, better data collection, and improved government accountability to address the issue. Bahous urged global leaders to unite and act urgently, particularly as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration approaches in 2025. “We need a zero-tolerance culture and more funding for women’s rights organizations,” she added.
Addressing Systemic Violence: UNODC’s View
Echoing Bahous’s call, Ghada Waly emphasized the need for robust criminal justice systems to hold perpetrators accountable for femicide. She highlighted the importance of creating safe reporting mechanisms for survivors while confronting gender biases and power imbalances. These systemic issues, she said, must be dismantled to prevent further violence and to protect women globally.
Global Movement for Change: 16 Days of Activism
The release of the UN report coincides with the launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which aims to raise global awareness about gender-based violence and demand immediate action from governments and institutions. The campaign, which has also sparked a viral social media movement, uses the hashtags #NoExcuse and #16Days to encourage individuals and organizations worldwide to take a stand. The 16-day period offers a platform for education, advocacy, and support for the eradication of violence against women.
Nigeria’s First Lady Joins Global Call for Action
In Nigeria, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu joined the global call for action during the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Her statements echoed the urgent need for collective action to address gender-based violence. With the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaching, UN Women continues to urge governments to step up efforts in ending impunity and securing justice for women and girls globally, ensuring that no more lives are lost to violence.
Understanding Femicide and Its Impact
Femicide refers to the intentional killing of a woman or girl due to her gender, often by intimate partners or family members. This extreme form of gender-based violence stems from societal inequalities and power dynamics that restrict women’s rights. It includes domestic abuse killings, dowry-related deaths, and honor-based violence, all reflecting gender discrimination’s broader impact.
In conclusion, the new UN report underscores the urgent need for systemic change to combat femicide and violence against women. It calls for stronger legislation, better support systems, and a cultural shift towards gender equality to prevent these tragedies from continuing. The world must act now to protect the lives of women and girls, ensuring they can live free from the fear of violence in their own homes.
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