At least 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed around the world in 2023, most of them by relatives, according to figures released by the UN on Monday. “An alarming level” for murders which could nevertheless be “avoidable”.
“The home remains the most dangerous place” for women, 60% of them having been victims of “their spouse or other members of their family”, notes this report from the Vienna Office of the United Nations against Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the New York organization UN Women. That’s 140 every day or one every 10 minutes.
A phenomenon “which crosses borders, affects all social categories and age groups”, with the Caribbean, Central America and Africa being the most affected regions ahead of Asia.
Killed by their partner in Europe
On the American continent and in Europe, femicides are mainly perpetrated by the partner, while in the rest of the world it is family members who are most often involved.
Many victims reported physical, sexual or psychological violence before their death, according to data available in some countries. “This suggests that many murders could have been avoided”, underlines the study, for example by “judicial injunction measures”.
“Rooted in practices and standards”
In regions where it is possible to establish a trend, the rate of femicide has stagnated or declined only slightly since 2010, demonstrating that this form of violence “is rooted in practices and norms” and is difficult to eradicate, notes the UNODC which analyzed the figures collected in 107 countries.
Despite the efforts undertaken in several countries, “feminicides remain at an alarming level”, note the authors. But “this is not inevitable”, according to the director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, quoted in a press release, who calls on countries to toughen up the legislative arsenal and better collect data.
This article was automatically published. Sources: ats / afp
Related News :