Over 18,000 women killed by family or intimate partners in Asia in 2023, UN report reveals

[Press release]

Bangkok, Thailand – A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women,  Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides, reveals the devastating reality of femicide in 2023, with over 18,000 women killed by family members or current or former intimate partners in Asia alone.

Launched in the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November, the report highlights that 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed globally in 2023. Of these, 60 % —51,000 victims—were murdered by intimate partners or family members.

The term “femicide”  is still emerging across some countries, while in others, it is widely recognized as the most extreme form of gender-based violence. Femicide manifests in various forms: A woman may be killed by her husband after enduring years of domestic violence, or by a former intimate partner after leaving an abusive relationship. A young girl may be murdered by her family for refusing a forced marriage, or a bride may lose her life to in-laws over dowry disputes. These acts stem from longstanding untrue beliefs that women and girls are inferior to men and must be controlled in all aspects of their lives.

The report highlights progress made under the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Gender-Related Killing of Women and Girls, developed by UNODC and UN Women and endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in 2022. This framework is being piloted in Fiji and Mongolia, following discussions and momentum generated at the International Conference on Ending Gender-Based Killings of Women and Girls held in Seoul in 2023. Efforts under this initiative aim to improve institutional coordination, strengthen data collection systems, and address gaps in administrative data on violence against women and girls. 

"Femicide is the most extreme and visible manifestation of gender-based violence, yet it continues to be inadequately addressed," said Christine Arab, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. "To tackle femicide effectively, we need robust data, better investigations to trace its connections to other forms of violence, and stronger accountability measures, such as the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Gender-related Killing of Women and Girls. By understanding femicide and its root causes, we can better prevent it and protect lives."

The findings highlight that many femicides are preventable with timely interventions, such as implementing restraining orders and offering essential services to survivors. Governments are urged to strengthen social protection systems, invest in community-based prevention programs, and foster collaborations between police, social services, health providers, women’s rights organizations, and civil society.

“Femicide is a reality in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and beyond. Our joint research shows that women are more likely to be killed by someone close to them than by strangers, no matter where they live in the world,” said Masood Karimipour, Regional Representative for UNODC’s Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. “The patterns of homicide reveal clear differences among women and men, illustrating that this is a gendered issue and needs a gender analysis. These alarming findings tell us that we must all do better to make home a safer place for women and girls. Each number represents a life taken, a future erased and loved ones left behind. Violence should have no place in our lives.”

The study also reveals that data availability about femicide is low in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and that a boost in reporting efforts is needed.

As the world approaches the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, the report emphasizes the importance of accelerating commitments to eliminate violence against women and girls. The upcoming milestone, coupled with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, presents a critical opportunity to catalyze action and ensure that progress is both sustained and inclusive.

See the report here