One Woman Killed Every 10 Minutes: The Stark Reality of Femicide

The latest global report on femicide paints a grim picture: every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member. According to the report Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides by UN Women and UNODC, 60% of all female homicides in 2023 were committed by someone within the victim’s home.

A Global Epidemic of Violence

In 2023 alone, 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide. Of these, 51,100 murders were committed by an intimate partner or a close relative. The data translates to 140 women and girls losing their lives every day due to domestic violence.

Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicide, followed by the Americas and Oceania. In Europe and the Americas, the majority of women killed in domestic settings (64% and 58%, respectively) were victims of their partners. Elsewhere, family members were the primary perpetrators.

Urgent Call to End Femicide

“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. She emphasized the need for stronger legislation, improved data collection, government accountability, and increased funding for women’s rights organizations.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, stressed that criminal justice systems must hold perpetrators accountable while also offering support for survivors through safe reporting mechanisms. “We must dismantle gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that enable violence,” she stated.

A Pivotal Moment for Change

As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2025 and the five-year deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, now is the time to rally all stakeholders and push for decisive action. This includes ending impunity for abusers and preventing all forms of gender-based violence.

16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence

UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for renewed commitments, accountability, and immediate action. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. A special event in New York on 25 November will highlight best practices for investing in violence prevention, identifying gaps, and mapping the way forward.

Additionally, a global social media campaign using #NoExcuse and #16Days encourages the world to speak up against gender-based violence and demand justice.

Time to Act

Femicide is an ongoing crisis, but it is one that can be stopped. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to create a world where no woman lives in fear. The time to act is now.