International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Gender-based violence is not just a social issue – it is a global, enduring millennial epidemic. As we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we confront an unsettling reality: the numbers are not receding – they are growing.
Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed.
The United Nations starkly outlines this crisis:
“Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act—their murder by partners and family members. That means a woman was killed every 10 minutes.”
So, this sobering reality spans across all societies and regions. The scourge of violence is not confined to the home; it has infiltrated workplaces, online spaces, and communities, exacerbated by conflicts, economic insecurity, and even climate change.
Femicide: the extreme manifestation of gender violence
“Femicide” is the term used to describe gender-related killings of women and girls. So, the most extreme manifestation of gender-based violence. The 2023 statistics are staggering:
1- 140 women and girls were killed daily, on average, by someone within their family.
2- Africa was the region with the largest absolute number of killings and with the highest level of violence relative to the size of its female population.
3- Unlike male homicides, often occurring in public spaces, the home remains the most dangerous place for women.
Therefore, this chilling reality underscores a devastating truth: for women and girls, safety is not a given – even in the spaces that should nurture them most.
Gender-based violence: Italy & the “good guy” illusion
In Italy, the murders of Giulia Cecchettin and Giulia Tramontano shattered a dangerous myth: that women are most at risk from strangers, lurking predators, or “monsters” we can easily identify. Instead, the threat often comes from someone far more familiar: the so-called “good guy.”
Giulia Cecchettin’s femicide laid bare the grim truth that partners, not strangers, are often the perpetrators of violence against women. Similarly, the case of Giulia Tramontano, seven months pregnant, poisoned with rodenticide and then murdered by her boyfriend, sent shockwaves through the nation. Today, Milano court sentenced her murderer to life imprisonment, but justice for one does not erase the systemic violence that continues to claim so many lives.
These cases force us to confront an uncomfortable reality: the perpetrator is rarely the deranged figure we imagine. He is ordinary – hidden in plain sight. Specifcally, a culture that normalizes control, entitlement, and violence shapes him.
Changing culture: the long road ahead
The pervasive nature of femicide challenges us to rethink our approach. The rapist or abuser is rarely the deranged figure we imagine. In fact, a culture of entitlement and patriarchy shape him into a man. This is a cultural problem, deeply rooted and insidious.
While education against discrimination from an early age is essential, it is not enough. Tackling gender-based violence requires a collective effort to build a culture of consent, equality, and respect. This cultural shift must begin with families and schools, laying the groundwork for future generations.
A call to action: dismantle patriarchy
As we observe this day, let it not be a moment of passive reflection but a call to action. We must confront the structures and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. This fight requires more than legislation. It demands a shared commitment to dismantle patriarchy, educate with intention, and foster a culture where no woman fears for her life in the spaces she calls home.
The numbers are more than statistics – they are lives lost, stories cut short. And they demand our unwavering attention.
#noexcuse