Uniting for Change: A Global Call to End Violence Against Women

WORLD

Uniting for Change: A Global Call to End Violence Against Women

26 NOV 2024

The grim reality of violence against women is once again under global scrutiny, as a recent report by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) uncovers a devastating truth.

A woman looks on, as people attend a demonstration to protest against femicide, sexual violence and all gender-based violence to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Paris on November 23, 2024 (Photo credit: Abdul Saboor/Reuters)

In 2023, 140 women and girls were killed daily by a partner or close relative—translating to one life lost every 10 minutes. Released on the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, this report underscores the urgent need for global action to combat femicide and protect women.

Violence against women transcends borders, affecting every culture, class, and community. However, its impact varies significantly across regions. The report highlights Africa as the region with the highest rates of femicide, with 21,700 women killed by intimate partners or family members in 2023. In the Americas and Europe, intimate partners were the primary perpetrators, while in Asia and Africa, family members were more likely to commit these crimes. These disparities reflect deep-rooted cultural and social dynamics that perpetuate gender inequality and violence.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the epidemic, calling for urgent action: "The epidemic of violence against women and girls shames humanity. The world must heed this call for justice, accountability, and support for advocacy."

Despite the staggering figures, the true scale of femicide remains obscured by inconsistent and incomplete data. Alarmingly, only 37 countries reported femicide-related data in 2023, a sharp decline from the 75 countries that reported in 2020. This lack of comprehensive data hampers efforts to address the crisis effectively.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous emphasized the importance of systematic data collection: "Accurate and transparent data is essential to inform policies, track progress, and ensure accountability. Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable."

Posters made by children from Ixtapaluca, State of Mexico, alluding to the eradication of violence against women and girls. (Photo credit: UNIC Mexico/Eloísa Farrera)

As the world prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025 and the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals, the report serves as a critical reminder of the work still to be done. UN leaders have outlined key steps to combat femicide, including: Robust legislation to address gender-based violence comprehensively. Improved data collection to enhance accountability and policy-making. Increased funding for women’s rights organizations and survivor support systems. Cultural shifts towards a zero-tolerance stance on violence against women.

The annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, aligns with these goals. This year’s theme, “Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNITE to End Violence against Women,” reinforces the urgency of global cooperation and collective action.

The fight against femicide requires governments, communities, and individuals to work together. Stronger criminal justice systems must hold perpetrators accountable, while survivors need access to safe reporting mechanisms and support systems.

As Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC, noted: "The new femicide report highlights the urgent need for strong criminal justice systems that hold perpetrators accountable, while ensuring adequate support for survivors."

This year’s findings are a sobering reminder of the cost of inaction. Every 10 minutes, another woman is lost to preventable violence. As the 16 Days of Activism begins, it is a clarion call for humanity to unite against this global crisis. “As this year’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign begins, we must act now to protect women’s lives,” Ms. Bahous concluded.