Globally, 137 women are murdered daily by partners or family. The home is not safe.
A stark new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women confirms a grim reality: the home remains the most perilous place for women and girls globally.
In 2024, approximately 50,000 women and girls were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. The devastating figure represents a staggering 60% of all intentional killings of women worldwide, highlighting a persistent crisis of lethal gender-based violence.
The unwavering threat within:
The 2024 global estimates paint a troubling picture of unwavering violence. On average, 137 women and girls are murdered every single day by someone within their own household or intimate relationship. This is a chilling statistic that underscores the systemic failure to protect women in spaces presumed to be safe.
The overwhelming majority of these victims are women. Globally, women represent approximately 66% of all victims of intimate partner killings, while men are far more likely to be victims of homicide by strangers or in public spaces.
“The numbers reflect a tragic reality. Women are most at risk where they should be safest—at home,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, in the report’s foreword. “These killings are often the culmination of a continuum of violence, rooted in gender inequality and discrimination.”
Regional disparities and data gaps:
The report meticulously details how the burden of femicide is not evenly distributed across the globe:
Africa and Asia continue to bear the brunt in absolute numbers. In 2024, an estimated 19,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family in Africa, followed closely by Asia with 17,800 victims.
When looking at rates relative to the female population, Africa still records the highest rate, indicating a disproportionate risk. Europe continues to have the lowest rate. However, even in regions with lower rates, thousands of women are still losing their lives.
A critical challenge highlighted by the report is the significant reduction in data reporting. Since 2020, the number of countries providing robust data on femicide has dropped by 50%. This “data gap” severely hampers the ability of international bodies and national governments to accurately track trends, identify hotspots, and implement effective prevention strategies.
“We cannot tackle what we cannot measure,” commented Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. “This decline in data reporting is alarming and suggests a worrying decrease in global attention to this urgent crisis, even as the numbers remain tragically high.”
Urgent call for prevention and action:
The UNODC and UN Women reiterate their call for comprehensive, targeted responses. These include:
• Strengthening Justice Systems: Ensuring swift and fair prosecution of perpetrators.
• Early Intervention: Implementing programs to identify and support women at risk of domestic violence.
• Addressing Root Causes: Tackling harmful gender stereotypes and promoting gender equality through education and awareness campaigns.
• Increased Funding: Allocating more resources to prevention, victim support, and data collection.
These killings are rarely isolated incidents; they are often the brutal endpoint of escalating violence. The report emphasizes the need for a whole-of-society approach to dismantle the structures that enable such violence.
A troubling stagnation:
Comparing the 2024 figures with the previous year’s report (which covered 2023 data) reveals a troubling stagnation. In 2023, approximately 51,100 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members, translating to an average of 140 daily. The current 2024 estimates, at 50,000 victims and 137 daily, show a slight numerical decrease. However, this marginal shift is likely within the margin of error, especially given the significant data gaps. It certainly does not indicate any substantial progress in curbing this horrific form of gender-based violence. The overall picture remains tragically consistent: homes are not safe havens for women, and global efforts are failing to stem the tide of femicide.
