Understanding Gender-Related Killings of Women and Girls
Gender-related killings of women and girls, also known as femicide, are a severe global issue. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of femicide, including definitions, statistics, major findings, and actions to combat this grave problem. The information is based on factual data from various sources, including the UNODC Femicide Report 2023.
About Femicide
Femicide refers to the intentional killing of women and girls based on their gender. This extreme form of gender-based violence is deeply rooted in societal attitudes and discrimination against women. Factors contributing to femicide include men’s perceived entitlement and privilege over women, societal norms regarding masculinity, and the need to assert control over women.
Major Findings on Femicide
Gender-Related Killings of Women and Girls in India
In India, gender-related killings remain a significant issue. These crimes often stem from domestic violence, dowry disputes, and honor killings. Despite legal measures, such incidents persist due to deeply entrenched cultural practices and gender biases.
Femicide Statistics 2023
- Global Trends: Nearly 89,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2022, the highest number recorded in the past two decades. Although overall homicide rates have decreased, female homicides have not followed this trend.
- Indian Scenario: There has been a slight decline in gender-based killings over the past decade. However, issues such as dowry-related deaths and honor killings continue to be prevalent.
UNODC Femicide Report 2023
The UNODC Femicide Report 2023 provides a detailed analysis of femicide patterns across different regions. The report emphasizes the need for comprehensive data collection and strategies to address the underlying causes of femicide.
Highest Femicide Rates by Country
Countries in Central and South America, such as El Salvador and Honduras, report some of the highest femicide rates globally. These regions face significant challenges due to cultural norms and insufficient protective measures for women.
UN Recommendations for Action Against Femicide
Promoting Changes in Social Norms and Attitudes
- Encourage societal change through educational programs to instill greater gender equality from an early stage.
Enhancing Women’s Safety in Urban Environments
- Conduct safety audits and improve urban infrastructure, such as better lighting and increased police patrols, to ensure women’s safety in public spaces.
Promoting Reporting and Early Detection of Violence
- Implement strategies to facilitate the reporting and early detection of violence, enabling timely intervention and prevention.
Ensuring Equal Protection and Access to Justice
- Guarantee equal legal protection and access to justice for women by addressing legal disparities and ensuring fair treatment within the judicial system.
Providing Information on Victim Rights
- Ensure victims receive accurate information about their rights and available support services, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Allocating Adequate Resources for Victim Rights
- Allocate sufficient resources to support services for victims, ensuring comprehensive care and justice for those affected by gender-related violence.
Violence Against Women in India
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is widespread across different socio-economic backgrounds in India, involving physical, emotional, and economic abuse within homes.
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence, including rape, molestation, and harassment, occurs in various settings, from public spaces to workplaces and homes.
Female Infanticide and Foeticide
Cultural preferences for male children lead to female infanticide (killing female infants) and foeticide (aborting female fetuses), contributing to a skewed sex ratio in India.
Dowry System
Despite being illegal, the dowry system persists in many parts of India, leading to harassment, physical abuse, and even murder if dowry demands are not met.
Honor Killings
Families sometimes resort to violence, including murder, to uphold perceived honor, particularly in cases of inter-caste or inter-religious relationships.
Government Initiatives to Combat Violence Against Women
Nari Adalat under Mission Shakti
- Nari Adalat: Women’s collectives promoting alternative dispute resolution and gender justice. Initially implemented in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Mission Shakti: Aimed at enhancing women’s safety, security, and empowerment through convergence and citizen ownership, with an approved outlay of Rs. 20,989 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period.
Additional Initiatives
Anarcho-Capitalism
Anarcho-Capitalism, a political philosophy advocating for the elimination of government intervention in economic and social affairs, poses significant risks, including potential exploitation and unequal access to justice and security.
Naya Savera Scheme
The Naya Savera Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, provides special coaching to minority students for technical and professional course admissions and competitive exams. Over 1,19,223 candidates have been trained under this scheme.
Revising Growth Standards to Measure Malnutrition
The Indian Council of Medical Research has recommended revising growth standards to accurately measure malnutrition in India, considering the diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds within the country.
Questions Answered
What are the Actions to End Femicide?
Actions to end femicide include promoting changes in social norms, enhancing women’s safety, encouraging reporting and early detection of violence, ensuring equal legal protection, providing information on victim rights, and allocating adequate resources for victim support.
What Has the UN Done for Women’s Rights?
The UN has launched various initiatives to promote women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and campaigns against gender-based violence.
What is Anti-Femicide?
Anti-femicide refers to efforts to prevent the gender-based killing of women and girls through legal reforms, public awareness campaigns, and protective services for potential victims.
Why is Crime Against Women Increasing in India?
Crime against women in India is increasing due to deeply ingrained gender biases, ineffective law enforcement, social stigma against reporting violence, and economic inequalities.
What is India’s Rank in Violence Against Women?
India ranks 148th out of 170 countries in terms of safety for women, reflecting significant challenges in addressing violence against women effectively.
Which State Has the Highest Crime Against Women in India?
Uttar Pradesh consistently reports the highest number of crimes against women in India, including cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.
What is the Rate of Domestic Violence Against Women in India?
The rate of domestic violence against women in India is alarmingly high. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2022:
- Prevalence: Domestic violence is prevalent across different socio-economic backgrounds in India. It includes physical, emotional, and economic abuse within homes.
- Increase in Cases: There was a 4% increase in the number of cases registered in 2022 compared to 2021.
- Types of Domestic Violence: The majority of these cases were registered under ‘cruelty by husband or his relatives’ (31.4%), followed by ‘kidnapping and abduction of women’ (19.2%), ‘assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty’ (18.7%), and ‘rape’ (7.1%).
What are the Steps Taken by Government to Control Social Issues?
The Indian government has implemented various measures, including:
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign
- Establishment of fast-track courts and One-Stop Centers
- Operation of a national helpline for women in distress.
Conclusion
Gender-related killings of women and girls are a critical issue that requires immediate and sustained action. Understanding the factors contributing to femicide and implementing the recommended actions can help create a safer and more equitable world for women and girls.