At least 85,000 women and girls will have lost their lives in 2023 around the world, victims of violence by their loved ones because of their gender: figures published on Monday, November 25 by the United Nations (UN) reveal this.
“An alarming level” of murders that, however, could be “avoided”and violence “that crosses borders, affects all social categories and age groups”insists the report from the Vienna Office of the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the New York organization UN Women.
“Home is still the most dangerous place” For women, 60% of them have been murdered by “your spouse or other family members”. That means 140 every day and one every ten minutes around the world.
“An alarming level” and stagnant figures
In the American continent and Europe, femicides are perpetrated mainly by the spouse or ex-spouse, while in the rest of the world it is family members who are usually involved. According to UN figures, the Caribbean, Central America and Africa are the regions where these crimes are recorded the most, ahead of Asia.
Many victims of feminicide reported physical, sexual or psychological violence before dying, according to data available in some countries, including France. “Which suggests that many murders could have been prevented”underlines the UN study, carried out for example by “judicial protection measures”.
In regions where it is possible to establish a trend, the femicide rate has stagnated or decreased only slightly since 2010, demonstrating that this form of violence “is rooted in practices and standards” and it is difficult to eradicate, says the UNODC, which analyzed figures collected in 107 countries.
Despite the efforts made in several countries, “Feminicides remain at an alarming level”the authors conclude. But “it is not inevitable”according to the director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, quoted in a press release, which calls on countries to strengthen the legislative arsenal and better collect data.
