A new report from the United Nations has revealed that an estimated 89,000 women and girls were killed worldwide in 2022, representing the highest annual figure recorded in the past two decades.

Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Waly, expressed grave concern over the persistent issue of gender-based violence, emphasizing that each life lost represents a stark reminder of humanity’s ongoing struggle against deep-rooted inequalities and violence against women and girls.

“The alarming number of femicides is a stark reminder that humanity is still grappling with deep-rooted inequalities and violence against women and girls,’’

“Each life lost is a call to action, a plea to urgently address structural inequalities, to improve criminal justice responses, so that no woman or girl fears for her life because of her gender,’’ Ghada said.

The report highlights that over half of these murders, around 55%, were committed by family members or partners, compared to only 12% of male victims of homicide. 

This disproportionate targeting of women and girls by individuals within their close relationships underscores the pervasive nature of gender-based violence and the need for targeted interventions.

The geographical distribution of these femicides reveals a stark disparity, with Africa recording the highest number of murders at around 20,000, followed by Asia.