UN Report Reveals: A Woman Is Killed Every 10 Minutes by a Family Member

A new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with UN Women has revealed alarming statistics on violence against women. According to the 2024 data, approximately 50,000 women and girls were killed worldwide by their intimate partners or family members, highlighting the home as the most dangerous place for women.

The report states that 60% of female homicide victims were murdered by their husbands, partners, fathers, brothers, or close relatives, compared to only 11% among male victims. The numbers mean that 137 women are killed every day, translating to one woman every 10 minutes losing her life at the hands of someone she knows and trusts.

Although the total number of confirmed cases is slightly lower than the previous year, the UN stresses that this decline does not indicate improvement. Instead, it reflects inconsistencies in data collection from different countries.

The UN warns that there has been no significant reduction in domestic violence or gender-based killings. The home remains the deadliest environment for women around the world.

Africa recorded the highest number of family-related femicides in 2024, with an estimated 22,000 victims.

Sarah Hendriks, Director of UN Women’s Policy Division, emphasized that such killings often begin with controlling behaviors, threats, and harassment — including the rising trend of online harassment.

The report highlights that the spread of digital technology has introduced new forms of violence, such as unauthorized sharing of images and the creation of deepfake videos, further endangering women.

The United Nations has urged countries to implement strong laws to curb both physical and online violence against women and ensure timely accountability for perpetrators.