The United Nations reported that an alarming average of 137 women and girls were killed every day in 2024 by intimate partners or family members. This grim statistic, representing a woman murdered approximately every 10 minutes, highlights a significant lack of progress in addressing femicide globally. The data, released on November 25, 2024, coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
According to the joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, a total of 50,000 women and girls were killed by close acquaintances last year. This figure is part of a broader total of 83,000 women and girls intentionally killed in 2024. The report indicates that about 60% of these victims were murdered by individuals such as partners, fathers, uncles, mothers, and brothers. In contrast, only 11% of male murder victims suffered similar fates at the hands of close contacts, despite men representing approximately 80% of all homicide victims.
The report breaks down the shocking statistic of 50,000 killings based on data from 117 countries. While this number is slightly lower than previous reports, it does not reflect any real decline in violence, as variances in data collection methods across different regions can significantly impact figures.
Global Trends in Femicides
No region of the world was free from femicides perpetrated by intimate partners or family members. The highest rate was recorded in Africa, with 3 cases per 100,000 women. The Americas followed, reporting 1.5 cases per 100,000 women, while Oceania noted 1.4, Asia had 0.7, and Europe recorded 0.5 cases per 100,000 women.
John Brandolino, acting Executive Director of the UNODC, emphasized the dangers many women face within their own homes. “The home remains a dangerous and sometimes lethal place for too many women and girls around the world,” he stated in a news release. This sentiment reflects the pervasive nature of domestic violence, often hidden behind closed doors.
The report also highlighted the growing influence of technology in exacerbating violence against women and girls. Sarah Hendricks, Director of UN Women’s Policy Division, pointed out that technological advancements have not only intensified existing forms of violence but have also introduced new threats, such as non-consensual image-sharing and deepfake videos.
Call to Action for Policy Change
Hendricks called for comprehensive policy changes to address violence against women both online and offline. “We need the implementation of laws that recognize how violence manifests across the lives of women and girls and hold perpetrators to account well before it turns deadly,” she asserted.
As the world reflects on the findings of this report, the urgent need for effective measures to combat femicide and ensure the safety of women and girls is clearer than ever. The ongoing violence underscores the importance of societal and governmental action to create safer environments and support systems for vulnerable populations.
