Artists perform simulating the murder of a young woman in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) during a protest called by feminist organizations to demand justice for women murdered in Honduras within the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Tegucigalpa on November 25, 2024. Orlando Sierra/Getty Images
The majority of women and girls killed in 2023 were victims of violence by an intimate partner or family member, according to a joint report by United Nations Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
The report revealed that an average of 140 women and girls were killed daily in such circumstances, with an estimated 51,100 victims globally last year — up from 48,800 in 2022, AP reported. The increase reflects improved data collection, not necessarily a rise in killings, the report clarified.
Intimate partner and family violence accounted for nearly 60% of all female homicides in 2023, the report found. By contrast, men and boys — who made up 80% of global homicide victims — were more likely to be killed outside the home.
"Women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by lethal violence in the private sphere," the report said, noting, "The home is the most dangerous place for women and girls."
1 of 7
Demonstrators participate in a rally to condemn violence against women, organized by the feminist and transfeminist movement "Non Una Di Meno" during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Demonstrators participate in a rally to condemn violence against women, organized by the feminist and transfeminist movement "Non Una Di Meno" during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty ImagesDemonstrators hold placards as they walk during a protest to condemn violence against women, called by feminist organisations two days prior to the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, in Paris, on November 23, 2024. (Olivia Bonnamour/Getty ImagesThe players of Wales warm up whilst wearing White Ribbon charity t-shirts which read 'Never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women', prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B4 match between Wales and Iceland at Cardiff City Stadium on November 19, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales.Michael Steele/Getty ImagesA protester holds a banner that reads 'Women Life Freedome' during a rally in front of the Greek Parliament to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in Athens on November 25, 2024.Angelos Tzortzinis/Getty ImagesWomen hold a banner in support of peasant women during a protest called by feminist organizations to demand justice for women murdered in Honduras within the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Tegucigalpa on November 25, 2024. Orlando Sierra/Getty ImagesA placard against femicide, claiming 2023 statistics of some 180 reported cases across 38 Indonesian provinces, is seen as activists take part in a street protest on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Jakarta on November 25, 2024. Bay Ismoyo/Getty ImagesA protestor paints the female gender symbol on the face of a woman during a demonstration to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, in Istanbul on November 24, 2024. Kemal Aslan/Getty Images
Despite international efforts to combat gender-based violence, the report described the numbers as "alarmingly high."
"Women and girls everywhere continue to be affected by this extreme form of gender-based violence and no region is excluded," the report stated.
Africa recorded the highest number of victims, with 21,700 deaths, and the highest rate relative to population size at 2.9 victims per 100,000 people.
The Americas and Oceania also saw elevated rates, at 1.6 and 1.5 per 100,000 respectively, while Asia and Europe reported lower rates of 0.8 and 0.6 per 100,000.
The findings were released on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
