New Delhi: Every day, women and girls are murdered because of their gender worldwide. A UN study has revealed the most dangerous place for a woman in this world is her home! Yes, you read it right, it is her own house. What is more surprising, as per a survey, it is the woman's family and partner with whom she shared an intimate relationship, murdered her.


What does UN data reveal


According to the 2018 report on the gender-related killing of women and girls by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), it was revealed that till last year females died at the hands of someone who was either an "intimate partner" or a relative. Out of an estimated 87,000 women killed, some 50,000 which is approximately 58% of woman/girls, were killed by partners or family members. Around 30,000, or 34 per cent, were committed by intimate partners alone.

As per the report, more than a third of the women intentionally killed in 2017 were killed by a current or former partner. Besides, 137 women are killed by family members every day. This amounts to six women being killed every hour by people they know, the report said.

• Around 87,000 women were killed around the world in 2017
• 50,000 - or 58 per cent - were killed at the hands of intimate partners or family members
• More than a third (30,000) of the women intentionally killed in 2017
• 6 women being killed every hour
• Female victims of homicide: The global rate was around 1.3 victims per 100,000 female population

 Source: unodc.org

Region-wise killing of women by partners or family members:

• Asia - 20,000
• Africa - 19,000
• America - 8,000
• Europe - 3,000
• Oceania - 300


Why killing occurs


Gender-related killing occurs in all the societies for various reasons. The report cited below among some of the reasons for  murders:

• Intimate partner violence and domestic violence: Family homicides, also known as domestic homicides, include homicides perpetrated by intimate partners or by other family members: siblings, parents, children, other blood relatives and other members of the family

• In the name of “honour”: Honour-related killings of women and girls are usually committed by family members when they consider that the behaviour of female family members has brought shame on the family and needs to be sanctioned.

• Dowry-related killings of women: Referring to instances in which brides are killed or driven to commit suicide after being subjected to continuous harassment and abuse by the groom’s family in an effort to extort dowry payment or increased dowry involving cash or goods.



• Extreme forms of violent killings of women: Extreme violent killings of women take place in the context of phenomena such as organized crime, drug dealing, gangs, massive migration and human and drug trafficking chains

• In connection with accusations of sorcery or witchcraft: Intentional killings of women due to sorcery or witchcraft-related accusations have been reported in Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

• In the context of armed conflict: The practice of targeting women in an armed conflict and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has been documented in several reports published by the United Nations.

• Killings as a result of sexual orientation and gender identity: Gender-related killing as a result of sexual orientation and gender identity represents another form of “femicide” that has been insufficiently documented and analysed.

In many cases, the killing is the final step in a continuum of violence against women and girls. Too often, perpetrators are not held accountable and impunity prevails, the report said.

 Source: UNODC


What efforts are made in protecting female victims


According to the study, despite legislation and programmes developed to eradicate violence against women, tangible progress in protecting and saving the lives of female victims of intimate partner/family-related homicide has not been made in recent years.

UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said, "While the vast majority of homicide victims are men, women continue to pay the highest price as a result of gender inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes. They are also the most likely to be killed by intimate partners and family,". "Targeted criminal justice responses are needed to prevent and end gender-related killings. UNODC is releasing this research for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2018 to increase understanding and inform action," he added.

The study was released on 25 November on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In the report, the United Nations has also recommended a number of practical measures to more effectively prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish the gender-related killing of women and girls.

This booklet released aimed to raise awareness among criminal justice practitioners, policy and decision makers, as well as United Nations staff and civil society.

Direct link- UNODC study