After so much effort, where is the safety for women? On the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a new report shows a sad truth: women and girls are still not safe, especially in their own homes. Even though there have been many efforts and campaigns to stop violence against women, the problem is getting worse. The numbers are shocking and show that urgent action is needed to protect women and girls.

The report by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows a worrying fact: many women and girls are killed by their partners or family members. In 2023, an average of 140 women lost their lives every day in such situations. These numbers are heartbreaking and make us wonder why the world hasn’t done enough to stop these tragedies, which could have been prevented.

Why is home still the most dangerous place for women?

The report shows a troubling pattern. In 2023, about 51,100 women and girls were killed worldwide, and more than half of these deaths were caused by a partner or family member. This is an increase from 48,800 deaths in 2022. While better record-keeping explains part of the rise, it doesn’t change the sad fact that, for many women, home is still the most dangerous place.

The problem affects women all over the world. In 2023, Africa had the highest number of victims, with 21,700 women killed by family members or partners. This is 2.9 deaths for every 100,000 people. The Americas and Oceania also had high rates of such killings, while Asia and Europe reported fewer deaths when looking at population size.

Unlike men, who are mostly killed outside the home, women and girls are at the greatest risk of violence inside their own homes. In 2023, nearly 60% of women who were intentionally killed were victims of violence by their partners or family members. This shows how deeply gender-based violence is connected to social beliefs and power imbalances in society.

What needs to change to protect women?

UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, said that these killings are not something new. They happen due to unresolved issues like gender stereotypes and cultural beliefs. She explained that these murders are about power over women and that the lack of punishment for such violence encourages it to continue.

In many situations, family members are unwilling to report the violence or seek justice against their own relatives, which helps the perpetrators avoid punishment. Gumbonzvanda highlighted the importance of leaders, both in politics and business, using their power to challenge harmful customs and create better ways to prevent violence.

The report stated that women are often killed after experiencing repeated violence. These deaths can be stopped with quick and effective actions. It called on countries to focus on fixing the main causes of violence, such as power imbalances, lack of education, and limited job opportunities for women.

Campaigns to stop the violence

The release of the report coincides with the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10. This year's theme is “Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNITE to End Violence Against Women.” It aims to raise awareness about the ongoing problem and call for urgent global action.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the epidemic of violence against women a shame on humanity. “The world must heed this call,” he said, urging justice, accountability, and stronger support for advocacy.

Even though there have been many campaigns and efforts to raise awareness, the number of women being killed is still too high. The report shows that more needs to be done, like improving the legal system and changing harmful social beliefs. Every woman who dies because of violence is a preventable tragedy, and it's time for governments, communities, and individuals to take action.