Do you really know? What is femicide?
Mar 5, 2026
They explain what makes a killing qualify as femicide and why gender motive matters. Statistics on intimate partner killings and global trends are highlighted. Different forms are covered, from sexual-assault linked murders to dowry and honour killings. Legal responses and feminist calls for gender-focused investigations are discussed.
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Femicide Defined By Gendered Motive
- Femicide means murder carried out because the victim is female, not simply any killing of a woman.
- The WHO and UN classify types like intimate femicide, non-intimate, dowry-related and honour killings to capture motive and context.
Intimate Partners Account For Most Femicide
- Intimate femicides by current or ex-partners are the most common form, accounting for 35% of women’s murders worldwide.
- The UNODC found 87,000 women were murdered in 2017, 58% by intimate partners or family members.
Non-Intimate And Cultural Forms Of Femicide
- Non-intimate femicide includes killings linked to sexual assault and anti-feminist motives, distinct from partner killings.
- Other recognized types include dowry-related murders and honour killings that target women for gendered reasons.