Every 10 Minutes, a Woman or Girl Dies at the Hands of an Intimate Partner or Family Member

A new report on femicide reveals that 60% of all gender-based killings of women are committed by intimate partners or family members. 

On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a new report titled "Femicide in 2023: A Global Assessment of Femicide Committed by Intimate Partners/Family Members". The findings highlight that femicide—the most extreme and violent form of gender-based violence against women and girls—remains a pervasive global issue. 

Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023. 60 per cent of these homicides were committed by an intimate partner or a family member. The data shows that 140 women and girls die every day at the hands of their partner or a close relative, which means one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes.  

In 2023, Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicide. In Europe, most women killed in the domestic sphere (64 per cent) were victims of intimate partners, while elsewhere, family members were the primary perpetrators. 

“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable. We need robust legislation, improved data collection, greater government accountability, a zero-tolerance culture, and increased funding for women’s rights organizations and institutional bodies. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, it is time for world leaders to UNiTE and act with urgency, recommit and channel the resources needed to end this crisis once and for all", highlighted UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous. 

Femicide in Ukraine 

Ukraine's Criminal Code does not include a specific article on gender-based killings of women, meaning there is no official data on this type of crime. However, the country collects data on murders involving spouses, former spouses, or other individuals in close or familial relationships, which are considered aggravating circumstances under Ukrainian law. 

Despite this, gender-based violence (GBV) remains alarmingly high in Ukraine. In 2023, the National Police received over 291,000 reports of domestic violence. According to Ukraine's Ombudsman's Office, in the first six months of 2024, there were 97,706 recorded incidents of domestic violence. 

The full-scale Russian invasion has exacerbated risks of GBV, including conflict-related sexual violence. In 2024, an estimated 2.5 million people in Ukraine—primarily women and girls—require access to GBV prevention and response services. 

Under Ukrainian law, survivors of GBV are entitled to medical, legal, social, and psychological assistance, as well as protection from perpetrators. If your life or health is in danger, dialing 102 (free and available 24/7 from mobile phones) is the first crucial step to obtaining help. The police are responsible for risk assessment, documenting incidents, ensuring protection for survivors, imposing temporary restrictions on perpetrators, and initiating investigations. If calling is not possible, the police can also be contacted through the Ministry of Internal Affairs' #ActAgainstViolence channels on Viber and Telegram. 

Free services and support available for survivors include: 

• Government Hotline for Combating Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence: 15-47 (free, 24/7). 

• National Hotline for Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Gender Discrimination (La Strada-Ukraine): 0 800 500 335 (free from landlines) or 116 123 (free from mobile phones). Assistance can also be sought via La Strada-Ukraine’s social media and messaging platforms (Instagram, Telegram). 

• Local social services in your city or community, with information on regional resources available on the UNFPA Ukraine website. 

Stop Violence Now Campaign 

On November 25, Ukraine launched the "Stop Violence Now" information campaign to prevent and combat GBV. Implemented by the United Nations in Ukraine in partnership with other UN agencies, including UN Women, the campaign runs from November 25 to December 10 as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative. This effort is part of the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign, initiated by the UN Secretary-General in 2008. 

About the 16 Days of Activism 

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day. Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the campaign aims to raise awareness about GBV as one of the most widespread human rights violations worldwide, uniting individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. 

In 2023, UN Women Ukraine launched the communication campaign #Нестерпиться, which ran from November 25 to December 10 under the global 16 Days initiative. #Нестерпиться shared 16 personal stories of Ukrainian women who found the strength to seek help and stop violence. More information about the campaign is available here.