140 Women and Girls Killed Every Day by Partners or Relatives in 2023

A new report from UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime has revealed a staggering statistic: an average of 140 women and girls were killed by an intimate partner or family member every day in 2023. The report, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlights the continued prevalence of gender-based violence worldwide, with intimate partner or family-related killings accounting for approximately 51,100 deaths globally last year.

The data shows an increase from the 48,800 women and girls killed in 2022, though officials say the rise is mainly due to improved data collection rather than a surge in violence. However, the report emphasizes that “the home is the most dangerous place for women and girls,” as these murders mostly occur in private spaces.

The highest number of intimate partner and family killings occurred in Africa, with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023, representing the highest rate per capita. The Americas and Oceania also saw significant rates of killings, while Asia and Europe had notably lower figures.

Despite efforts to combat this crisis, the report underscores the continued vulnerability of women and girls to lethal violence. “The killings of women and girls remain alarmingly high, and many are preventable through timely and effective interventions,” said the agencies.

In a disturbing contrast, while men and boys account for the majority of homicide victims globally, women are disproportionately affected by lethal violence within the family, with nearly 60% of all women intentionally killed in 2023 falling victim to intimate partner or family member homicides.

This report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing global crisis of violence against women and calls for stronger measures to prevent and address gender-based violence.