VIENNA: A new United Nations report has revealed that one woman was killed every 10 minutes by a partner or relative worldwide in 2023, underscoring the continued alarmingly high levels of femicides. According to the joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, nearly 85,000 women and girls were murdered globally last year, with over 60% of these deaths—more than 51,000—caused by intimate partners or family members.
The report highlights that the home remains the most dangerous place for women, with lethal violence often coming from those closest to them. This equates to an average of 140 women killed each day, a staggering statistic that points to the deeply rooted issue of gender-based violence.
While men are more likely than women to be homicide victims overall, the majority of male victims are killed by strangers. In contrast, women are disproportionately killed by people they know, with Africa recording the highest number of femicides, totaling 21,700 deaths in 2023.
Despite efforts to curb femicides in some regions, the report stresses that these crimes remain widespread due to persistent gender inequality and harmful cultural norms. UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly emphasized the need to confront these deeply ingrained biases, while UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous called for stronger laws, greater accountability, and more support for women’s rights organizations to address the violence.
The report, compiled from data from 107 countries and territories, also stresses the importance of improved data collection, media involvement, and fostering a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against women. This release coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, calling for urgent action to end femicides and gender-based violence.
