'Home is the most dangerous place for women and girls': UN report
At least 51,000 women and girls were intentionally killed around the world in 2023 – the majority by a partner or family member – two United Nations agencies have found, warning that the deadliest place for women is at home. They insist that such murders could be prevented.
Globally, an intimate partner or family member was responsible for the deaths of more than 51,000 women and girls in 2023 – an increase from an estimated 48,800 victims in 2022 – UN Women and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said.
The report released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women found the increase was largely the result of more data being available from countries and not more killings.
However the agencies stressed that “women and girls everywhere continue to be affected by this extreme form of gender-based violence and no region is excluded".
"The home is the most dangerous place for women and girls," it added.
Africa sees highest toll
The highest number of intimate partner and family killings was in Africa – with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023, the report said.
There were also high rates last year in the Americas with 1.6 female victims per 100,000 and in Oceania with 1.5 per 100,000, it said. Rates were significantly lower in Asia at 0.8 victims per 100,000 and Europe at 0.6 per 100,000.
In contrast, the vast majority of male homicides take place outside homes and families, it said.
(with newswires)
Read more on RFI English
Read also:
EU agrees first law on violence against women, fails to find consensus on rape
'Worse than death': Surviving sexual violence in Cameroon's anglophone crisis
Sudan’s civil war grows more brutal as UN details horrific sexual violence
