A United Nations report has revealed that one woman or girl was killed by a partner or relative every 10 minutes worldwide in 2023, highlighting the persistence of femicides at “alarmingly high levels.”
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 last year. Of these, over 51,000 – approximately 60% – were killed by an intimate partner or family member, equating to 140 deaths per day.
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“The home remains the most dangerous place for women and girls in terms of the risk of lethal victimisation,” the report stated.
While men constituted 80% of global homicide victims, they were more often killed by strangers, unlike women, whose lives were predominantly ended by those closest to them.
Africa recorded the highest number of femicides, with 21,700 women murdered by partners or relatives in 2023. In contrast, Europe and Asia had the lowest absolute numbers, with 2,300 murders reported in Europe.
Despite global efforts to combat gender-based violence, the report pointed to deeply rooted gender inequalities and harmful stereotypes as key drivers of femicides.
“We must confront and dismantle the gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women,” said UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.
The report emphasized the importance of preventive measures, such as restraining orders, robust legislation, and increased accountability from governments. Improved funding for women’s rights organizations and institutional bodies was also highlighted as essential.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous called for enhanced data collection, including information from media reports, and urged a “zero-tolerance culture” to combat femicides.
“This is not just about numbers; these are lives lost to violence that could have been prevented,” Bahous stressed.
The findings, based on data from 107 countries, were released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, reinforcing the urgent need for global action to end gender-based violence.
