Almost 50,000 women were killed by their partners or family members in 2024, according to the UN

Almost 50,000 women and girls worldwide were murdered by their partners or family members in 2024, which is an average of 137 victims every day, according to a report by UN Women. This figure also accounts for almost 60% of the 83,000 killed that year, according to the study, released on the occasion of the Day against Gender Violence, which is celebrated this Tuesday. By region, Africa had the highest number of victims of intimate or family femicide, with about 22,600 murdered in 2024. Asia follows, with 17,400 murdered by their partners or family members; the Americas, with 7,700; Europe, with 2,100, and Oceania, with 300. In Europe, 64% of these crimes were committed by the victims' partners, while in the Americas this percentage was 69%, according to the report, prepared in conjunction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The study identifies factors that motivate these crimes, such as stereotypes that consider women "subordinate" to men, discrimination, and inequality.

You can also read: UFHEC graduates 826 professionals; 62% were women

Furthermore, there are risk factors in the case of femicides committed by the victim's partner, such as a history of violence by the aggressor or a "real or imminent" separation. Instead, patterns that lead to homicides by other family members are more unknown, which may require "a broader set of prevention strategies".

Technology Aggravates Violence Against Women

The report reveals that greater access to information and communication technology (ICT) and digital tools has exacerbated existing violence against women and girls and has led to new forms of violence, such as 'deepfake' videos. Thus, technology can intensify patterns of domestic violence and be used to commit acts "that precede femicide", such as coercive control, surveillance, or harassment. The organization warns that women with greater public visibility, such as journalists, politicians or activists, are at a higher risk of suffering this type of violence. For example, one in four female journalists worldwide has said they have received threats of physical violence and death via the Internet.

Preventing through education and legal measures

In this context, UN Women insists on the need to prevent these femicides through education and the development of skills to build healthy relationships. It also proposes to promote measures such as the criminalization of femicide in national laws and the establishment of aggravating circumstances in homicides motivated by gender-based violence. Similarly, it is required to propel criminal justice responses, such as the creation of specialized units in police forces, prosecutors, and courts. In addition, it recommends that countries develop public awareness and sensitization campaigns, such as 'Ni Una Menos' or the popular 'Me Too', as well as the collection of data on these crimes by government agencies and femicide observatories. In this regard, it cites as an example the VioGén system of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, launched in 2007 and which integrates tools to assess risks, monitor and protect victims.