A new report by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals that the most dangerous place for women and girls globally is their own homes. On average, 140 women and girls were killed daily by intimate partners or family members in 2023, totaling approximately 51,100 victims—a rise from 48,800 in 2022.
The report, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, attributed the increase to improved data collection rather than a surge in killings. However, it underscored that no region is exempt from this extreme form of gender-based violence. “The home is the most dangerous place for women and girls,” the report emphasized.
Africa recorded the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings, with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023—equating to 2.9 victims per 100,000 people, the highest rate globally. The Americas followed with 1.6 victims per 100,000, while Oceania recorded 1.5. Asia and Europe reported significantly lower rates, at 0.8 and 0.6 victims per 100,000 respectively.
The report highlighted stark differences in gender-related violence: while 80% of global homicide victims in 2023 were men, women and girls disproportionately suffered lethal violence in domestic settings. Nearly 60% of all women intentionally killed last year were victims of intimate partner or family member homicides, compared to a much smaller proportion of male victims in similar contexts.
UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, stressed that the persistent killings stem from unaddressed gender stereotypes and harmful social norms. She highlighted the impunity surrounding these crimes, noting the difficulty in seeking justice when perpetrators are family members.
“This is killing associated with power over women,” Gumbonzvanda said. “The anonymity of perpetrators within families means justice is rarely served, perpetuating the cycle of violence.”
The report urged those in positions of economic and political power to use their influence to prevent gender-based violence rather than perpetuating it. Prevention, the agencies noted, requires addressing underlying cultural and social norms that enable such violence.
Despite ongoing efforts, the report found that the killings of women and girls remain alarmingly high. These deaths are often the culmination of repeated gender-based violence, making them preventable with timely and effective interventions.
The UN agencies called for stronger global action to address the root causes of violence against women and girls, improve data collection, and ensure justice for victims. They emphasized that systemic change is needed to make homes safe spaces for women and girls.
While the report highlights progress in understanding and addressing gender-based violence, it also serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing crisis that demands urgent attention and action worldwide.
