Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides Report (GS Paper 2, Society)
Why in News?
- On 25th November 2023, the Femicides in 2023 report was released by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
- The report underscores the global crisis of femicide, highlighting that gender-based violence is a serious issue across the world.
What is Femicide?
- Femicide refers to the intentional killing of women due to their gender.
- It stems from gender discrimination, unequal power relations, and harmful social norms.
- It is distinct from homicide, where the motive may not necessarily be gender-related.
Key Findings of the Report
Global Scenario:
-
- In 2023, 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed globally, with 60% (around 51,100) killed by intimate partners or family members.
- On average, 140 women and girls per day were victims of femicide by intimate partners or close relatives.
Regional Disparities:
-
- Africa reported the highest number of victims (21,700) and the highest rate of femicide per population (2.9 per 100,000).
- The Americas and Oceania had femicide rates of 1.6 and 1.5 per 100,000, respectively.
- Asia and Europe had lower rates (0.8 and 0.6 per 100,000, respectively).
Non-Domestic Femicide:
-
- 5% of femicides in France (2019-2022) and 9% in South Africa (2020-2021) occurred outside domestic settings.
Male as Homicide Victims:
-
- 80% of all homicide victims in 2023 were men, while 20% were women.
- However, women are more impacted by lethal violence, with 60% of women intentionally killed being victims of intimate partner or family member homicide.
Preventability of Femicide:
-
- A significant number of women killed by intimate partners had previously reported violence. For example, 22–37% of cases in France (2019–2022) and similar trends in South Africa (2020–2021).
Data and Availability:
-
- The availability of data has declined, with only 75 countries reporting femicide data in 2023, compared to 150 countries in 2020. Few countries collect data on non-domestic femicides using the UNODC-UN Women framework.
Forms of Violence Against Women
- Domestic Violence: Physical, sexual, or emotional harm caused by a current or former partner or family member.
- Sexual Violence: Includes rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, and forced prostitution, disproportionately affecting women and girls.
- Psychological Abuse: Intimidation, humiliation, and derogatory comments, including practices like isolating menstruating women and female infanticide.
- Cultural Abuse: Harmful practices like female genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, and honour-based violence.
- Technology-Facilitated Violence: Online defamation, stalking, cyberbullying, and distribution of morphed images or videos.
Key Facts on Gender Violence in India
- Increase in Crimes Against Women: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022, crimes against women rose by 4% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
- Nature of Crimes: In 2022, the majority of crimes were related to rape, domestic violence, and dowry-related offenses.
- High Rape Cases: Over 31,000 rape cases were reported in India in 2022, a high number compared to previous years.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
- Observed on 25th November to raise awareness against violence against women and girls (VAWG).
- It honors the Mirabal Sisters from the Dominican Republic, who were assassinated on this date in 1960 for their resistance against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo.
How to Prevent Femicide
- Address Root Causes: Targeting gender-based violence at multiple levels, including individual attitudes, family dynamics, and societal norms.
- Legal Measures: Classify femicide as a distinct crime, and establish dedicated units within the police and judiciary.
- Risk Reduction: Identify high-risk situations, limit access to firearms for those with histories of intimate partner violence, and enforce orders preventing contact between perpetrators and victims.
- Awareness Movements: Support campaigns like #MeToo and Ni Una Menos to raise public awareness.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Governments should report on femicide trends and establish "femicide observatories" to monitor and analyze data.
Conclusion
- The Femicides in 2023 report highlights the urgent need to address the global crisis of femicide.
- A multifaceted approach, including legal reforms, societal shifts, and heightened awareness, is necessary to prevent gender-based violence and ensure the safety and rights of women worldwide.
