#16 Days Of Activism: One Woman or Girl is Killed Every 10 Minutes, New UN Report Warns
The pervasive and harrowing reality of violence against women and girls has once again come into sharp focus with the release of a joint report by UN Women and UNODC. The findings, published on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlight that over 140 women and girls were killed every day in 2023, the majority of whom were victims of their intimate partners or family members. Sarah Banda examines.
The report, Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides, underscores that 85,000 women and girls lost their lives due to gender-based violence in 2023, with 60% (51,000) of these killings occurring in what should be safe spaces—their homes. These sobering statistics demand urgent global attention and action.
Regional Realities of Femicide
While the crisis is global, regional differences paint a complex picture of gender-based violence:
- Africa: Continues to record the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related killings due to pervasive gender inequality and systemic challenges.
- Americas and Oceania: Femicides in these regions are notably tied to intimate partners, accounting for 58% of domestic femicides in the Americas.
- Europe: Despite its advances in gender equality, 64% of women killed domestically in Europe were victims of intimate partners.
- In other regions, the involvement of family members as perpetrators highlights the deep-seated societal norms perpetuating violence.
These findings underscore the urgent need for region-specific interventions that address the structural and cultural drivers of femicide.
Leadership Speaks: An Urgent Call to Action
UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, issued a powerful call for 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 organizations and institutional bodies. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, it is time for world leaders to UNiTE and act with urgency.”
Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, echoed these sentiments:
“The new femicide report highlights the urgent need for strong criminal justice systems that hold perpetrators accountable while ensuring adequate support for survivors, including access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms.”
Both leaders emphasized that systemic change, bolstered by government and community collaboration, is key to ending the cycle of violence.
Moving Forward: Building Safer Futures
The report’s findings are a clarion call for global solidarity. With the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action approaching and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in sight, world leaders have pivotal moments to recommit to tackling gender-based violence. Key recommendations include:
- Establishing robust legal frameworks to ensure accountability for perpetrators.
- Empowering women and girls with access to survivor-centered support systems.
- Confronting societal norms and dismantling gender biases.
- Scaling up investments in advocacy groups and gender-responsive programs.
Without urgent and sustained action, achieving a world free of gender-based violence will remain an elusive goal.
16 Days of Activism: Mobilizing for Change
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the campaign amplifies the call for accountability and change under the themes #NoExcuse and #16Days. This year’s commemoration highlights actionable solutions and survivor-centric approaches to combat the femicide epidemic.
The statistics are a grim reminder, but they also serve as a rallying point for governments, communities, and individuals to unite in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
For an in-depth look at the findings and actionable recommendations, access the full report here: [UN Women Digital Library].
