Every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is murdered by someone she knows: UN

WEB DESK: Globally, a woman or girl was killed by an intimate partner or family member every ten minutes in 2024, according to a new report from the United Nations, highlighting the persistent and deadly nature of femicide.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women reported that approximately 50,000 women and girls were murdered by partners, parents, siblings, or other relatives last year. This represents around 137 deaths per day, with 60% of female homicide victims killed by someone close to them. In comparison, only 11% of male victims died at the hands of family or intimate partners.

While the figure is slightly lower than in 2023, the report cautions this difference likely reflects variations in data collection rather than an actual decline. Femicide remains a major concern worldwide, with homes continuing to be the most dangerous spaces for women and girls. Africa accounted for the highest number of cases, with nearly 22,000 deaths.

Sarah Hendricks, Director of UN Women’s Policy Division, stressed that femicides are often the culmination of prolonged violence, including controlling behaviour, threats, harassment, and online abuse. Technological developments, she noted, have enabled new forms of violence, such as non-consensual image-sharing, doxxing, and deepfake videos.

“Laws must address all forms of violence against women, online and offline, and hold perpetrators accountable before abuse escalates to lethal levels,” Hendricks said. The report reflects the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent femicide and protect women globally.