Despite existing international commitments, statistics on this issue have remained alarming for many years.
According to the femicide report for 2025, last year there were 83,000 recorded intentional killings of women and girls. Of this number, 50,000, or 60%, were victims of their close ones. In comparison, only 11% of murdered men were killed by their partners or relatives.
“Femicide does not occur in a vacuum. It is often the result of prolonged violence that begins with control and threats, including online harassment,” noted Sarah Hendricks, Director of the Policy, Programs, and Intergovernmental Relations Division of UN Women.
She also added that this year's "16 Days of Activism" campaign aims to draw attention to the fact that digital violence can escalate into physical violence, and in the worst case, end in murder.
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The report also highlights that cases of gender-based killings are observed in all corners of the globe. The highest rate of femicide committed by intimate partners or relatives is recorded in Africa — three cases per 100,000 women and girls. This is followed by countries in the Americas (1.5), Oceania (1.4), Asia (0.7), and Europe (0.5).
Although some cases of femicide occur outside the home environment, information about these incidents remains insufficient. To improve monitoring and data analysis, UN Women, in collaboration with UNODC, is implementing a statistical program that will help more accurately identify, record, and classify gender-based killings. Increasing the volume and quality of data is critical for understanding the scale of the problem, developing effective response measures, and ensuring access to justice.
