UN: Home is the Most Dangerous Physical Location for Women

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Facts

  • According to a UN Report published Monday, the most dangerous physical space for women and girls across the world was their own home in 2023, with an average of 140 women and girls killed each day by an intimate partner or relative.[1][2][3]
  • The report, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, found that about 60% or 51K of 85K women and girls killed intentionally by men last year were murdered by a family member compared to about 48.8K in 2022.[4][5][6]
  • However, the report mentioned that the rise from 2022 was mostly due to increased available data and not an actual increase in killings. In 2023, the highest number of family-related deaths were reported from Africa, with 21.7K victims.[7][8]
  • Female victims killed by partners or family members often experienced chronic gender-based violence.[9][10]
  • The rate of these murders was lowest in Asia (0.8 per 100K) and Europe (0.6 per 100K). The UN report said the killings of women and girls were "preventable through timely and effective interventions."[8][10]

Sources: [1]Devdiscourse, [2]Independent, [3]UN Women – Headquarters, [4]Inkl, [5]The Financial Express, [6]The Guardian, [7]Associated Press, [8]Time, [9]The Business Standard and [10]Manila Bulletin.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by World Economic Forum and The Commonwealth. Home, a place meant for refuge, has become a graveyard for too many women. Every day, women are murdered by those they trust most — partners and family. This global scourge, fueled by intimate violence and societal neglect, leaves scars far beyond the body. Despite years of awareness, the crisis persists, unyielding, its victims unheard and unsupported. A world that allows this darkness to thrive must answer for its indifference.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Sage Journals and Medium. The world paints women and girls as uniquely unsafe, but the truth is far more complex — and men and boys often face even graver dangers. While women are most at risk from intimate violence at home, men overwhelmingly suffer violence on the streets. Unfortunately, society dismisses male victims and reinforces a false, harmful narrative. Addressing violence means acknowledging all victims, rejecting bias, and embracing holistic solutions.

Predictions