Femicides in 2023: Key Highlights and Trends

Femicides in 2023

Definition and Global Context

  • Femicide: Refers to all types of gender-related killings of women and girls as defined by the UNODC and UN Women.

    • Recognized in the Statistical framework for measuring gender-related killing (approved March 2022).

  • Global Data: Approximately 51,100 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members, accounting for 60% of all female homicides in 2023.

Key Findings

  • Increase from 2022: 2023 estimate is higher than 48,800 in 2022, largely due to improved data availability.

  • Daily Impact: On average, 140 women and girls are killed every day by family members.

  • Regional Statistics:

    • Africa: Highest number of victims (21,700) and highest rate relative to population (2.9 per 100,000).

    • Asia: 18,500 victims, low relative rate (0.8 per 100,000).

    • Americas: 8,300 victims with a rate of 1.6 per 100,000.

    • Europe: 2,300 victims with a rate of 0.6 per 100,000.

    • Oceania: 300 victims with a rate of 1.5 per 100,000.

Patterns of Femicide

  • The home is the most dangerous place for women and girls; most female homicides (almost 60%) are intimate partner/family member related.

  • Perpetrators: 64% of femicides in Europe and 58% in the Americas are committed by intimate partners,

    • In Africa and Asia, family members account for 59% of femicides.

  • Past Violence: Many victims had reported violence before their deaths; restorative measures like restraining orders could prevent such killings.

Trends Since 2010

  • Americas: Relative stability in rates of intimate partner femicide.

  • Europe: Slow decline of 20% in rates over 13 years.

  • Data Reporting: Number of countries reporting femicide data has decreased by 50% since 2020; highlighting a decreasing trend in data collection and reporting.

Prevention Strategies

  1. Primary Prevention: Changing societal attitudes and norms through education.

  2. Legal Responses: Criminalization of femicide and introducing gender motives as aggravating factors in homicides.

  3. Criminal Justice: Establishing specialized units for addressing gender-based violence.

  4. Multi-Agency Approaches: Collaborative efforts among police, social services, judiciary, and healthcare providers.

  5. Public Campaigns: Advocacy movements like “ni una menos” and “me too”.

  6. Data Collection Efforts: Enhancing systems for recording femicides and monitoring trends.

Challenges and Recommendations

  • Despite efforts, the high levels of femicide suggest entrenched societal norms that need long-term strategies to address.

  • The need for comprehensive data is vital for developing effective policies.

  • Engage communities, victims' advocates, and legal reform to improve response to domestic violence.

Conclusion

  • The 2023 report underscores the urgency in addressing femicide as a critical public safety and human rights issue.

  • Calls for increased accountability, funding, and commitments from governments and organizations to combat gender-based violence.

Contact Information: For further inquiries, contact UNODC at unodc-dass@un.org

Reference: UNODC and UN Women, 2023 Research Brief.