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Summary
Femicide, the intentional killing of women due to their gender, is a global crisis with deeply rooted causes in systemic discrimination and gender inequality. The UN reports a rise in femicide worldwide, with Africa having the highest rates.
Femicide remains one of the most alarming and pervasive forms of violence worldwide. Unlike homicides, which may not have a gender-based motive, femicides are deeply rooted in systemic discrimination, unequal power dynamics, harmful social norms, and stereotypes that devalue women. The latest report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, shows that femicide is rising around the world.
Femicide refers to the intentional killing of a woman or girl because of their gender. It is the most extreme and brutal manifestation of violence against women and girls, which occurs on a continuum of multiple and related forms of violence at home, in workplaces, schools or public spaces, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence, harmful practices and trafficking.
In 2023, around 51,100 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members (including fathers, mothers, uncles and brothers). This means that, on average, 140 women or girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.
Naija Feminist Media (NFM), a pioneering force in the media landscape in Nigeria, continues to play a key role in the documentation of femicides in Nigeria and the global world. We have contributed to awareness, advocacy, and social change. By providing a platform to amplify the voices of victims and survivors, NFM has played a critical role in raising awareness and fostering advocacy to address this issue locally and globally. NFM’s commitment to respectful storytelling ensures that survivors and their families are not subjected to victim-blaming narratives, a common issue in reporting gender-based violence.
A notable example of NFM’s collaboration is its support for the DOHS Cares Foundation’s mini-marathon, which was organised to raise awareness about femicide and advocate for legislative reforms in Nigeria. This initiative is one of many steps aimed at tackling gender-related violence in the country.
Femicide Statistics in Nigeria
The 2024 DOHS Cares Foundation femicide report highlights a grim reality. Between January 1 and December 31, 2024, 133 Nigerian women, including teenagers, were victims of suspected gender-related violence. Among these, approximately 12 women were killed between January and March alone. One of the cases highlighted in the report involved Aminat, a 100-year-old woman who was killed by her 67-year-old son, Lukman Adejoju, during a dispute over the proceeds from palm oil sales.
The crisis of femicide is not limited to Nigeria. A recent United Nations report revealed that Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicides globally, with 21,700 women killed in 2023. The Americas and Oceania followed closely behind. When adjusted for population size, Africa again had the highest rate, with 2.9 femicides per 100,000 women, followed by the Americas (1.6) and Oceania (1.5). Asia and Europe reported the lowest rates, at 0.8 and 0.6, respectively.
The data also shed light on regional differences. In Europe and the Americas, most victims were killed by their intimate partners, comprising 64% and 58% of cases, respectively. Conversely, in Africa and Asia, women were more likely to be killed by family members than by partners, reflecting the cultural and social dynamics underpinning this violence.
Global data indicates that, despite efforts by countries to prevent femicide, these incidents remain alarmingly high. It also highlights that since many of these cases stem from repeated episodes of gender-based violence, they are preventable through timely and effective interventions. Many cases result from repeated episodes of gender-based violence that could have been addressed through timely and effective interventions.
The battle against femicide requires collective effort at all levels—individual, community, national, and global. Organisations like Naija Feminist Media and DOHS Cares Foundation demonstrate how advocacy, awareness, and community engagement can pave the way for change. However, achieving a world free of gender-based violence demands sustained commitment, political will, and societal transformation.
Femicide is not just a women’s issue; it is a human rights crisis. Ending it is a moral imperative and a necessity for building a more equitable and just society for all.
