ISLAMABAD: One woman is being killed every 10 minutes by her family member or someone close to her. The United Nations has revealed this shocking development in its report released today.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women released the report on Monday. The findings coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The report highlighted the persistent and widespread threat facing women and girls globally.
Women Killed Mostly by Those Close to Them
According to the report, intimate partners or family members killed around 50,000 women and girls in 2024. The data came from 117 countries. It showed that sixty percent of all female homicide victims were murdered by partners or relatives. The victims included women killed by fathers, brothers, uncles, mothers, and spouses. In contrast, only eleven percent of male homicide victims were killed by someone close to them. The figures underline the gendered nature of lethal domestic violence.
Home Remains the Most Dangerous Place for Women
The report stated that the figure of 50,000 deaths equals about 137 women killed per day. This translates to one woman being killed every ten minutes. Although the number is slightly lower than the previous year, the report warned that this does not reflect meaningful progress. The apparent change stemmed mainly from variations in data availability. The study stressed that femicide remains a global crisis with no signs of improvement. It also noted that the home continues to be the most dangerous place for women and girls in terms of homicide risk.
Africa Records Highest Number of Femicide Cases
Femicide occurred in every region of the world. Africa recorded the highest number of cases with around 22,000 deaths in 2024. The report emphasised that femicide often emerges from ongoing patterns of violence. These patterns include controlling behaviour, threats, and harassment. Many cases also involve violence that escalates over time.
Technology Fuels New Forms of Violence
Sarah Hendricks, Director of UN Women’s Policy Division, said that femicide does not happen in isolation. She added that violence can begin with psychological abuse or online intimidation. She warned that technology has intensified certain types of violence against women and girls. The report noted new harms such as non-consensual image sharing, doxxing, and deepfake videos. Hendricks called for stronger laws to address both online and offline violence. She stressed that perpetrators must face accountability before violence becomes fatal.
