Gender-related killings, also known as femicide or feminicide, are the most brutal and extreme form of violence against women and girls. Femicide is defined as an intentional killing motivated by gender-related factors, such as discrimination, harmful social norms, unequal power relations between men and women, or stereotyped gender roles.
Despite decades of activism by women’s rights organizations and growing awareness and action from Member States, the evidence shows that progress in stopping such violence has been deeply inadequate.
The Generation Equality Forum action coalitions, UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women have joined forces to produce the second joint edition of a report on gender-related killings of women and girls
Here are 5 key findings:
1. Women and girls are most likely to be killed by those closest to them
In 2022, around 48,800 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members (including fathers, mothers, uncles and brothers). This means that, on average, more than 133 women or girls are killed every day by someone in their own family. Current and former intimate partners are by far the most likely perpetrators of femicide, accounting for an average of 55 per cent of all intimate partner and family related killings.
2. Femicide is a universal problem
Like all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls, femicide is a problem that affects every country and territory across the globe. According to the new report, in 2022, Africa recorded the largest absolute number of female intimate partner and family related killings with an estimated 20,000 victims; followed by 18,400 in Asia; 7,900 in the Americas; 2,300 in Europe; and 200 in Oceania.
3. The true scale of femicide is likely much higher
It’s important to note that there are still significant gaps in the data and information available regarding gender-related killings, particularly when it comes to certain groups of women and girls. Unfortunately, women who hold positions of power in the public eye, such as those in politics, women human rights defenders, and journalists, are often the targets of intentional acts of violence, both online and offline, some of which result in fatal outcomes. This violence can take many forms, but it is important to recognize that intentional killings do occur, and they are a serious concern.
4. Some groups of women and girls face greater risk
There continue to be significant limitations in data and information on gender-related killings of certain groups of women and girls. Women in the public eye, including those in politics, women human rights defenders and journalists are often targets of intentional acts of violence, both online and offline, with some leading to fatal outcomes and intentional killings.
5. Femicide can and must be prevented
Gender-related killings and other forms of violence against women and girls are not inevitable. They can and must be prevented through primary prevention initiatives focused on transforming harmful social norms and engaging whole communities and societies to create zero tolerance for violence against women. Early intervention and risk assessment, access to survivor-centered support and protection as well as gender-responsive policing and justice services are key to ending gender-related killings of women and girls.
