The UN reported that Africa had the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings, with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023.

The home remains the most dangerous place for women, with an average of 140 women and girls killed by intimate partners or family members each day, according to a report from two UN agencies released on Monday.

In 2023, an estimated 51,100 women and girls globally were killed by intimate partners or family members, up from approximately 48,800 victims in 2022, as reported by UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The increase in the death toll was primarily attributed to more data becoming available from countries, rather than an actual rise in killings.

The agencies highlighted that violence against women and girls continues to be a significant issue worldwide, with no region being exempt from this extreme form of gender-based violence. They also pointed out that the home remains the deadliest place for women and girls.

Regional differences were evident in the data. Africa reported the highest number of intimate partner and family-related killings, with an estimated 21,700 victims in 2023. Africa also had the highest rate of such killings relative to its population, with 2.9 victims per 100,000 people. The Americas and Oceania also showed high rates, with 1.6 female victims per 100,000 in the Americas and 1.5 per 100,000 in Oceania. In contrast, Asia and Europe had significantly lower rates, with 0.8 and 0.6 victims per 100,000 people, respectively.

The report noted that in both Europe and the Americas, intimate partners are primarily responsible for the intentional killings of women in private settings. In contrast, the majority of male homicides occur outside the home and family environment.

Despite the fact that men and boys make up the majority of homicide victims globally, the report pointed out that women and girls continue to suffer disproportionately from lethal violence within the family. While an estimated 80% of all homicide victims in 2023 were men, nearly 60% of all women intentionally killed that year were victims of intimate partner or family member violence.

The report also emphasized that, despite efforts by countries to curb these killings, the number of women and girls killed remains alarmingly high. These deaths are often the result of prolonged gender-based violence, and the report concluded that timely and effective interventions could prevent such tragedies.