Home is Most Dangerous Place for Women as One is Killed Every 10 Minutes by a Relative: UN
The United Nations has warned that the home remains the most dangerous place for women across the world, as new data shows that one woman or girl is killed every ten minutes by a family member. The findings, released to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, reveal that an estimated 50,000 women and girls were murdered globally in 2024 by intimate partners or relatives, reflecting a crisis that shows no meaningful signs of improvement.
According to the UN’s latest assessment, the figure is slightly lower than in 2023 but still far from indicating any real decline in gender-based killings. The organisation noted that 137 women were killed every day last year, illustrating what it described as a persistent “global emergency” that continues to receive insufficient political attention. The data, compiled from 117 countries, shows that 60 per cent of all women killed in 2024 were targeted by male relatives such as fathers, brothers, husbands, partners and uncles. In stark contrast, only 11 per cent of male homicide victims worldwide were killed by someone close to them, highlighting a stark gender disparity in patterns of lethal violence.
The report states that homes, rather than public spaces, have consistently remained the primary sites of femicide. It says that the privacy of domestic settings, combined with cultural norms and weak institutional safeguards, continues to shield perpetrators while limiting victims’ access to help. The UN stressed that most femicides occur after prolonged periods of abuse, intimidation or control, making them preventable tragedies that often go unaddressed due to stigma and poor reporting mechanisms.
Africa emerged as the worst-affected region, recording approximately 22,000 femicide cases in 2024. The UN attributes the high numbers to inequalities in law enforcement capacity, cultural barriers that discourage reporting and limited access to protection services. However, the organisation warned that significant data gaps remain worldwide, and the real figures could be much higher. Regions such as Asia and Latin America also reported thousands of cases but continue to struggle with incomplete or inconsistent reporting systems.
The report highlights a disturbing rise in cyber-enabled violence, pointing to the use of digital tools, artificial intelligence and social media platforms to intimidate, harass or endanger women. Fake AI-generated images, doxxing and coordinated online threats have become increasingly common, with experts warning that such abuses often escalate into physical violence. UN Women’s Policy Director, Sarah Hendricks, said femicide “does not occur in isolation” but exists on a continuum of violence that frequently begins with online harassment, digital surveillance or coercive behaviour.
Despite the alarming statistics, global responses remain fragmented and insufficient. The UN noted that many countries lack comprehensive legal frameworks to prevent domestic violence and protect women at risk. Funding for women’s rights organisations remains limited, and legal loopholes in numerous jurisdictions allow abusers to act with impunity. The report called for stronger accountability mechanisms, improved data collection and greater investment in prevention programmes, shelters and crisis support services.
Experts warn that femicide often follows clear warning signs, including controlling behaviour, repeated threats, and patterns of psychological or physical abuse. Yet victims frequently struggle to seek help due to fear of retaliation, social stigma, financial dependence or lack of institutional support. The consequences of femicide, the UN added, extend beyond immediate loss of life. Children who witness domestic violence face long-term psychological trauma, while families and communities suffer lasting social and economic impacts.
The UN urged governments to adopt effective domestic violence laws, strengthen rapid protection mechanisms such as emergency shelters and restraining orders, and ensure that survivors receive timely and confidential support. Civil society and communities were also encouraged to play a more active role in breaking the silence around gender-based violence, supporting victims and challenging harmful norms that enable abuse.
The report concludes that femicide remains one of the world’s most pervasive yet least-addressed forms of violence. With tens of thousands of women losing their lives each year, the organisation warned that meaningful progress will require sustained global commitment, stronger legal protections and a fundamental shift in social attitudes. Until such changes occur, it said, women will continue to face danger even within the confines of their own homes.
FAQs
1. What is femicide?
Femicide refers to the killing of women or girls specifically because of their gender, often by intimate partners or family members.
2. Why are most femicides committed at home?
Domestic environments provide privacy and cultural protection for perpetrators, making intervention difficult and reducing victims’ access to help.
3. Which region recorded the highest femicide numbers?
Africa recorded the highest number of femicide cases in 2024, according to the UN.
4. How does technology contribute to rising violence?
Digital tools and artificial intelligence are increasingly used for harassment, fake image creation, threats and doxxing, which can escalate into physical harm.
5. What measures can help reduce femicide globally?
Stronger legal protections, better reporting systems, community support, investment in women’s rights organisations and effective enforcement mechanisms are essential.
