Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Gender-based violence worldwide - statistics & facts
In 2023, around 84,900 women were killed worldwide. This represented the highest number of recorded femicide since 2014. Femicide, the murder of a woman on account of her gender, is the highest form of violence against women. Yet, the definition of gender-based violence also includes other acts of violence.
Nonetheless, some violent acts against women and girls appear to be more recurrent in the Global South. The first example is female genital mutilation (FGM), mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and adolescence, and occasionally on adult women. According to available data, it was estimated that more than 230 million girls and women have been subjected to this practice, mostly on the African continent. The second example is child marriage, also mostly carried out in the Global South. However, girls living in rural areas were more likely to be married in their childhood than girls living in urban centers.
Global North and Global South divide
Physical and sexual violence affects all women, on all continents, regardless of their economic situation or age. Sexual violence includes acts of rape, which are recorded everywhere on the globe. However, sex crime data is to be interpreted carefully, for instance tracking down truthful rape statistics can be considered challenging since not all victims choose to report their aggression. Moreover, country-to-country comparisons are difficult too, since not all countries agree on the same legislation.Nonetheless, some violent acts against women and girls appear to be more recurrent in the Global South. The first example is female genital mutilation (FGM), mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and adolescence, and occasionally on adult women. According to available data, it was estimated that more than 230 million girls and women have been subjected to this practice, mostly on the African continent. The second example is child marriage, also mostly carried out in the Global South. However, girls living in rural areas were more likely to be married in their childhood than girls living in urban centers.
Domestic violence worldwide
Even though not all women are equal in the face of gender-based violence, for instance depending on their level of income, one variable seems to stand out regardless of the context: violence comes more often from the inside. Indeed, among all femicides in 2023, more than 60 percent of women were victims of a husband, partner, or family member. One of the main issues with domestic violence is that it was still accepted, or at least justified, specifically by men, the ones perpetrating these violent acts.Gender-based violence: a global issue
According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that one in three women will experience physical and/ or sexual violence in their lifetime. Therefore, gender-based violence, recognized by the United Nations as a violation of women’s human rights, is still considered a major public issue worldwide. Finally, violence against women was both rooted in gender inequalities and kept perpetuating them.
