28-November-2024-Special-Article

GLOBAL CRISIS OF FEMICIDE

Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, is a grave violation of human rights driven by discrimination, unequal power dynamics, and harmful societal norms.

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November), a report titled “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides” was released by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), shedding light on the alarming prevalence of femicide worldwide.

Key Findings of the Report

1. Global Statistics:
   • In 2023, approximately 85,000 women and girls were deliberately killed globally.
   • 60% of victims (51,100) lost their lives to intimate partners or family members.
   • An average of 140 women per day were victims of femicide by close relatives or partners.
2. Regional Data:
   • Africa reported the highest femicide rate (21,700 deaths, 2.9 per 100,000 population).
   • The Americas and Oceania had rates of 6 and 1.5 per 100,000, respectively.
   • Asia and Europe showed comparatively lower rates at 8 and 0.6 per 100,000.
3. Non-Domestic Femicide:
   • Increasing cases of femicide outside domestic settings were observed.
   • Examples: 5% of femicides in France (2019–2022) and 9% in South Africa (2020–2021) occurred outside homes.
4. Impact of Violence on Women:
   • While men constitute 80% of global homicide victims, women face disproportionately higher risks of lethal violence from intimate or family-related homicides (60% of women killed in 2023).
5. Preventability of Femicide:
   • A significant percentage of victims had reported prior violence.
   • Examples: 22–37% in France (2019–2022) and similar trends in South Africa (2020–2021).
6. Decline in Data Reporting:
   • Fewer countries provided data in 2023 compared to 2020 (75 nations in 2020).
   • Limited collection of non-domestic femicide data using UNODC-UN Women frameworks.

Forms of Violence Against Women

1. Domestic Violence:
   • Abuse by current or former partners or family members.
   • Includes physical aggression, psychological abuse, coercion, and controlling behaviors.
2. Sexual Violence:
   • Unwanted sexual acts imposed without consent.
   • Includes rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, and online sexual exploitation.
3. Psychological Abuse:
   • Intimidation through gestures or derogatory comments.
   • Practices like female infanticide and isolating menstruating women.
4. Cultural Abuse:
   • Harmful traditions like female genital mutilation, child marriage, and honor-based violence.
5. Technology-Facilitated Violence:
   • Cyberstalking, harassment, deepfake videos, and online defamation.

Gender Violence in India

1. Rising Crimes:
   • As per NCRB 2022, crimes against women rose by 4% in 2022 compared to 2021.
   • Over 45 lakh cases of crimes against women were reported in 2022.
2. Nature of Crimes:
   • High incidence of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and dowry-related deaths.
   • Over 31,000 rape cases were recorded in 2022, averaging 87 daily cases.
3. First Information Reports (FIRs):
   • 51 FIRs per hour were registered for crimes against women in 2022.

Observing International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Observed on 25th November to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.

Declared by the UN General Assembly in 1999.

Honoring the Mirabal Sisters:

• Commemorates the Mirabal Sisters of the Dominican Republic, assassinated on this day in 1960 for opposing dictatorship.

UN Entities Addressing Gender Violence

1. UN Women:
   • Established in 2010 to promote gender equality and empower women.
   • Merged four previous UN organizations working on women’s rights.
2. UNODC:
   • Founded in 1997, it combats international crime and drug trafficking.
   • Focused on terrorism prevention and justice reform.

Legal Measures for Women’s Safety in India

1. Key Laws:
   • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
   • Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH) Act, 2013.
   • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
2. Enforcement:
   • Laws like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, ensure accountability.
   • The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, addresses dowry-related abuses.

Preventing Femicide: Recommendations from the Report

1. Address Root Causes:
   • Focus on changing harmful societal norms and power dynamics.
   • Promote healthier interpersonal relationships.
2. Educational Interventions:
   • Incorporate gender equality lessons in school curricula.
   • Engage both genders in discussions to challenge stereotypes.
3. Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
   • Classify femicide as a distinct criminal offense.
   • Establish specialized police and judicial units for gender-based violence cases.
4. Reducing Risk:
   • Train law enforcement to identify high-risk situations.
   • Restrict access to firearms for individuals with histories of violence.
5. Public Awareness:
   • Campaigns like #MeToo and Ni Una Menos to challenge gender violence norms.
6. Data Collection:
   • Governments should report annually on femicide trends.
   • Civil society can establish femicide observatories for analysis.

Conclusion

The report underscores the severity of femicide and its roots in systemic inequality and discrimination. A comprehensive approach—spanning legal, social, and educational reforms—is essential to combat gender-based violence effectively. Governments, communities, and individuals must work together to protect women’s rights and eliminate this global crisis.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the root causes and global prevalence of femicide as highlighted in recent UN reports. Suggest policy measures and legal frameworks that can effectively combat gender-based violence. (150 WORDS)