11 Shocking Statistics About Violence Against Women In 2023

The International Day for the Elimination of  Violence  Against Women, observed on November 25 each year, serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and often overlooked issue of violence against women. As we delve into the statistics provided by global institutions, Indian data, and insights from various countries, a chilling reality unfolds—a reality that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts to address this global epidemic.

The day marks the anniversary of the assassination of the Mirabal sisters by the Dominican Republic on November 25, 1960. The activist sisters opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, and their assassinations turned them into symbols of female resistance. In honour of the three assassinated sisters, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly dedicated the anniversary of their deaths as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Shocking Statistics About Violence Against Women

1. A Grave Reality in the EU

• In the European Union, more than 3,000 women meet a tragic end each year at the hands of partners or family members. A staggering one in three women in both the EU and globally has experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. Shockingly, 32% of sexual harassment perpetrators in the EU emerge from the employment context.
• The alarming truth is that at least two women a week are killed by an intimate partner or family member in the EU.

The grim truth is that violence against women and girls is a menacing threat to half of humanity, manifesting both online and offline. 

2. The UN's Disturbing Insights

• 30 percent of women globally experience physical and/or sexual violence.
• Over 640 million women aged 15 and older, representing 26% of the population, have endured intimate partner violence.
• The pandemic's dark shadow looms large, with 45% of women reporting increased incidents of violence since its onset.
• According to a new UN report, more than five women and girls were murdered every hour by a family member in 2021.
• More than half (45,000) of the women and girls murdered worldwide (81,100) in 2021 were murdered by their husbands, partners, or family members.
• In Asia, around 17,800 women were murdered at the hands of their relatives.
  In contrast, out of all male homicide cases in 2021, only 11 percent were killed by a partner or relative. They are most at risk of being killed by someone outside their family.

3. OECD's Call to Action

• According to the OECD SIGI Report 2023, one in three women globally has faced intimate partner violence, totalling more than half a billion individuals.
• Nearly 300 million women have suffered abuse within the last year alone, demanding urgent and comprehensive action.

4. The Escalating Crisis in India

• In India, 31,677 cases of rape were registered in 2021. An average of 86 cases of rape are registered each day.
• In India, intimate partner violence is a pervasive challenge, affecting 32% of ever-married women. The crime rate against women rose by 15.3% in 2021, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting 428,278 cases. Disturbingly, spousal violence in India encompasses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, making it a pressing public health concern.
• Nearly 49 cases of crimes against women are lodged every single hour.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau of India (NCRB), reported incidents of crimes against women increased by 15.3 percent in 2021 compared to 2020.
• The crime rate against women in India rose to 64.5 per lakh women in 2021
• The NCRB data also revealed that 6,589 cases of dowry deaths were reported in 2021, a 3.85 percent decline from 2020.

5. United States' Sobering Reality

In the United States, almost 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner. The impact is profound, with nearly 15% of women having been injured due to intimate partner violence.

6. Australia's Grim Tally

As of November 17, 49 women have lost their lives to violence in Australia this year, with 28 allegedly killed by male intimate or ex-intimate partners. These alarming figures underscore the need for urgent measures to protect women.

7. The United Kingdom's Ongoing Struggle

In the UK, 9% of women aged 16 and over were victims of domestic abuse in the last year. Shockingly, over 1,500 police officers were accused of violent offences against women in just six months, & less than 1% faced consequences, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability within law enforcement.

8. Sudan's Crisis: Gender-Based Violence

Sudan faces an escalating crisis of gender-based violence, with more than 3 million women and girls at risk even before the recent conflict. Credible reports reveal 21 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls since the conflict began.

9. South Africa's Harrowing Numbers:

The first three months of 2023 in South Africa saw 1,051 reported rapes, 1,485 attempted murders, 969 killings, and over 15,000 assaults against women.

10. Germany's Alarming Attitudes:

A third of men in Germany find violence against women acceptable & 34% of respondents admitted to being violent towards women according to a survey. This revelation highlights the urgent need for cultural shifts and education to combat ingrained attitudes.

11. Bangladesh's Silent Suffering

Bangladesh reports nearly 10,000 victims of violence against women in one year, with 4,360 cases of rape

Global Statements: Femicide and a Call to Action

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a sombre revelation in 2022 — a woman or girl becomes a victim of intimate partner or family violence every 11 minutes. Guterres unequivocally declares this as the most pervasive "human rights violation" worldwide, urging governments to swiftly implement national action plans to combat this deeply entrenched scourge.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the advisory committee for the prevention and combating of domestic violence categorically defines "femicide as the tragic culmination of chronic, systematic abuse leading to the untimely death of a woman". With 27 years of operational experience, the committee asserts its pivotal role across various levels in addressing domestic and gender-based violence. In 2023, the committee takes proactive steps within its responsibilities, bringing pertinent issues to the attention of competent House committees. 

“Violence against women and girls remains an immense crisis for rights and health for millions of women and girls around the world,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, and head of the UN Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP). “Governments need to ‘walk the talk’ in investing in evidence-based resources for violence prevention and response, while advancing gender equality."

The statistics presented here illuminate the global crisis of violence against women. As we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it is imperative that governments, societies, and individuals 'walk the talk' in investing in evidence-based resources for prevention and response. Only through collective action can we hope to eradicate this grave injustice and create a safer world for women.