At least 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed in 2023, with over 60 percent—more than 51,000—losing their lives to intimate partners or family members.
This revelation was detailed in a joint report by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, released on Monday, November 25, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The report painted a stark picture of the global epidemic of femicide, a term that refers to the killing of women or girls specifically because of their gender.
With these numbers equating to one woman or girl being killed every 10 minutes, the report identifies Africa as the region most affected by intimate partner and family-related femicides.
“Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicides, followed by the Americas and Oceania. In Europe and the Americas, most victims were killed by their intimate partners, while in other regions, family members were the primary perpetrators,” the report stated.
The data underscored the urgent need for tailored interventions to address regional variations in the nature of femicide. It also highlighted the interplay between cultural norms and systemic weaknesses that allow such violence to persist.
UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, stressed that femicide and violence against women are preventable with decisive action.
“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable. We need robust legislation, improved data collection, greater government accountability, a zero-tolerance culture, and increased funding for women’s rights organisations and institutional bodies,” Bahous emphasized.
She further urged world leaders to unite as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaches in 2025. “It is time for world leaders to unite, act with urgency, recommit, and channel the resources needed to end this crisis once and for all.”
Similarly, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly, highlighted the need for effective systems to combat violence.
“The new femicide report highlights the urgent need for robust criminal justice systems that hold perpetrators accountable while ensuring adequate support for survivors, including access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms. At the same time, we must confront and dismantle the gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women,” Waly said.
The release of the report coincides with the launch of the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which calls for global action to dismantle systemic violence against women and girls.
Social media platforms have been inundated with messages under the hashtags #NoExcuse and #16Days, amplifying the call for awareness and change.
In Nigeria, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu joined the global observance by calling for urgent action against gender-based violence.
Speaking during an event commemorating the day, Tinubu reiterated the importance of addressing the root causes of such violence and implementing sustainable solutions.
As the world approaches key milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, UN Women is urging governments, institutions, and communities to act decisively.
The agency stressed the importance of preventing violence, ending impunity, and securing justice for women and girls.
Femicide remains one of the most extreme manifestations of violence against women and girls.
It encompasses a range of acts, including domestic abuse killings, honour-based violence, dowry-related deaths, and other forms of gender-based discrimination and control.
Addressing this crisis requires not just a legal framework but a shift in societal attitudes and norms. Only through a united and comprehensive approach can the world move closer to eradicating the scourge of femicide and ensuring a safer future for women and girls globally.
