Every 10 minutes around the world, one woman is killed by her loved ones: UN

VIENNA: In an alarming report, the United Nations warned that in 2023, at least one woman was killed by a partner or relative every 10 minutes around the world, and stressed that the number of femicides remained “alarmingly high” .

Nearly 85,000 women and girls were murdered by people last year, according to a joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Women’s agency.

The report found that around 60% – or more than 51,000 women and girls – died at the hands of their partners or relatives.

This equates to 140 women killed every day or every 10 minutes by their loved ones.

“Home remains the most dangerous place for women and girls in terms of risk of fatal victimization,” the report said.

Although men were four times more likely than women to be victims of homicide – last year they accounted for 80% of all murder victims – they were most often killed by strangers.

Africa suffered the greatest toll – in 2023, 21,700 women were killed by someone close to them.

The lowest rates of femicide were recorded in Europe (2,300 murders in absolute numbers) and Asia.

Despite efforts in some countries to prevent femicides, levels remain “alarmingly high” due to deep-seated gender inequality and harmful stereotypes.

“We must confront and eliminate gender bias, power imbalances and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women,” UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said in a statement accompanying the report.

Evidence from countries including France shows that femicides are often the “culmination” of repeated episodes of violence and can be prevented through measures such as restraining orders.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said that to stop violence against women, strong laws, greater government accountability and increased funding for women’s rights organizations and institutional bodies are needed.

She further stated that better data collection from various national sources, including media reports, and a “zero tolerance culture” are essential in the fight against femicides.

The report is based on available data from 107 countries or territories and information collected by UNODC based on responses sent by member states.

Its premiere coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.