Homes of horror

A United Nations report on femicide points to a truth many have been trying to explain: for many women, the most dangerous place is their own home. Every day, an estimated 140 women and girls are killed by an intimate partner or family member. This staggering figure – amounting to 51,100 deaths in 2023 – highlights the harsh reality women are born in and live through. Released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the report is a reminder of the entrenched violence that continues to plague half the world’s population. What should be a refuge too often becomes a battlefield, as intimate partners and family members inflict lethal harm. UN Women describes the home as the very place where women and girls ought to feel safest but instead face the greatest danger. These killings often mark the brutal endpoint of long-standing abuse – abuse that is entirely preventable with timely and effective interventions. Certain regions, such as Africa, the Americas, and Oceania, report particularly high femicide rates, but this form of violence knows no borders. It is a global epidemic fueled by poverty, patriarchal norms, and weak legal systems. The data also supports this universality – although women account for just 20 per cent of global homicide victims, 60 per cent of those killed are murdered by intimate partners or family members.

A glaring obstacle to tackling femicide is the lack of reliable data. Many governments fail to collect accurate statistics, especially on cases outside the domestic sphere. This chronic underreporting masks the true scale of the crisis, making it harder to design effective prevention strategies. Without comprehensive data, responses are inadequate, addressing only a sanitised version of the problem. Pakistan is a case in point. While legal reforms have improved the tracking of gender-based violence, the conviction rate is an appallingly low 5.0 per cent, compared to a 64 per cent acquittal rate. This disparity reflects a justice system that fails survivors and emboldens perpetrators. The roots of femicide lie in pervasive gender inequalities. Across the globe, societal norms subordinate women, leaving them vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Compounding the crisis is the woefully inadequate funding to combat gender-based violence. Globally, just 5.0 per cent of government aid is directed toward this issue, with a mere 0.2 per cent allocated to prevention.

Grassroots movements in countries like Turkey, Kenya, and Mexico have amplified demands for change, but the fight against femicide requires more than protests. Governments must enact and enforce stronger legal protections, backed by substantial funding for prevention and support services. Law enforcement and judicial systems need urgent reform to prioritise accountability and ensure swift, decisive justice for perpetrators. Societies must also confront the cultural and patriarchal norms that perpetuate violence. In Pakistan, this means clearing the backlog of unresolved cases, increasing conviction rates, and creating a system where survivors can report abuse without fear of reprisal. Civil society, policymakers, and international organisations must work together to foster safe environments for women. It is a fight that demands unwavering focus, not just on ‘international days’ but every day.