Subhechcha Ganguly 
A recent United Nations report has highlighted the staggering impact of gender-based violence around the world, revealing that an average of 140 women and girls were killed every day in 2023 by intimate partners or close relatives. The report, published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), underscores the alarming persistence of this crisis, as 60 percent of the 85,000 women and girls killed globally last year were murdered by family members.
The report was released in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, drawing attention to the fact that no region of the world is immune to this extreme form of violence. The UNODC’s findings emphasize that, despite various efforts to combat gender-based violence, the home remains the most dangerous place for women and girls.
Africa emerged as the region with the highest number of female victims, accounting for an estimated 21,700 women and girls killed by intimate partners or family members in 2023. This represents a homicide rate of 2.9 victims per 100,000 people—the highest globally. The Americas and Oceania followed with rates of 1.6 and 1.5 per 100,000, respectively. Europe and Asia had comparatively lower rates, with 0.6 and 0.8 per 100,000.
Intimate partner violence was identified as the leading cause of female homicides in both Europe and the Americas, starkly contrasting with the trend for men, whose homicides typically occur outside the family. While men made up 80 percent of all homicide victims globally, the report revealed that women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence, with nearly 60 percent of female homicides linked to family or partner violence.
“These killings are not just isolated incidents; they are the tragic culmination of repeated cycles of abuse that could be prevented through timely and effective intervention,” said the UNODC in a statement. The report called on governments and organizations worldwide to intensify their efforts to prevent such violence, stressing the urgent need for stronger measures to protect women and girls in their homes.
The data paints a dire picture of the global scale of intimate partner and family-related violence, underscoring that this is not just a regional issue but a global one that requires immediate action. The UNODC’s findings reinforce the ongoing call for more decisive interventions, such as improved legal frameworks, greater support for survivors, and broader societal shifts to eradicate gender-based violence.
As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the UN report serves as a sobering reminder that much more needs to be done to protect women and girls from violence and ensure their safety, especially within their own homes.
