SAMRC Gender and Health Research Unit Report Featured in UN Global Femicide Study

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Gender and Health Research Unit's (GHRU) pivotal research on femicide has been prominently featured in the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) latest annual report, Femicides in 2023 - Global Estimate of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides. Released yesterday in New York, the report presents a grim global overview of violence against women and girls in domestic settings.

The timing of the report’s release aligns with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, emphasising its urgent message. The SAMRC’s contribution underscores the significance of regional data in understanding the scope and patterns of femicide, particularly in South Africa, where intimate partner violence remains a critical public health concern.

According to the UNODC report, an alarming 51,100 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members globally in 2023. These tragic deaths account for 60% of all female homicides, highlighting the pervasive nature of violence in private spaces. Disturbingly, many of these killings followed reports of prior violence, underscoring the gaps in intervention and prevention measures.

The SAMRC’s GHRU has long championed research and advocacy to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Their groundbreaking femicide studies have provided critical insights into the drivers and dynamics of intimate partner and family-related homicides in South Africa.

As the world observes the 16 Days of Activism, the SAMRC reiterates its call to action for policymakers, civil society, and communities to prioritise GBV prevention. The organisation advocates for multi-sectoral approaches that strengthen legal protections, improve access to support services, and foster cultural shifts to challenge the normalisation of violence against women and girls.

This collaboration between the SAMRC and the UNODC is a poignant reminder of the global solidarity required to tackle femicide and GBV. It is also a testament to the SAMRC’s ongoing commitment to generating data-driven solutions to safeguard the rights and lives of women and girls.

For further information or to access the UNODC report, visit UNODC Femicide Report 2023.

For more information, please contact:

• Prof. Naeemah Abrahams
  SAMRC Chief Specialist Scientist, Gender & Health Research Unit
  Email: Naeemah.Abrahams@mrc.ac.za  
   
• Ms Yolanda Phakela
  SAMRC Public Relations Manager
  Email: Yolanda.phakela@mrc.ac.za     
  Mobile: 073 801 3691