We fuss over insults to men. How about some fuss about the killing of women?

The issue of gender-based violence, particularly the killing of women, is a significant and pressing concern worldwide. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner [1]. This equates to an estimated 736 million women alive today who have been affected by this form of violence [2].

The consequences of gender-based violence are far-reaching and devastating. It can lead to both short-term and long-term physical and mental health problems, including injuries, disability, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [1]. Moreover, violence against women can also have significant economic consequences, as victims may miss work or school due to injuries or fear, leading to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs [3].

One particularly alarming form of gender-based violence is femicide, or the intentional killing of women based on their gender [4]. Femicide can take many forms, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking [5]. In 2017, an estimated 87,000 women were killed worldwide as a result of gender-based violence [6].

Femicide is not a problem limited to any one region or country. It occurs in both developed and developing countries, and in all cultures and communities [7]. For example, in Mexico, an average of 10 women are killed every day as a result of gender-based violence [8]. In India, an estimated 24,000 women were killed between 2010 and 2012 due to dowry-related violence [9]. And in the United States, an average of 3 women are killed every day by an intimate partner [10].

The reasons for gender-based violence and femicide are complex and multifaceted. They can include cultural norms that condone violence against women, lack of access to education and economic opportunities for women, and weak enforcement of laws against gender-based violence [11]. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, economic empowerment, and strong law enforcement [12].

In conclusion, while it is important to acknowledge and address the harm caused by insults and other forms of verbal abuse, it is equally important to recognize and address the much more serious issue of gender-based violence and femicide. The fact that an estimated 736 million women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime is a staggering statistic that demands our attention and action.

References:

[1] World Health Organization. (2013). WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women: study summary. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241506253/en/

[2] United Nations. (2015). UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/end-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures

[3] World Bank. (2012). The cost of violence against women: new evidence. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/19432

[4] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). Global study on homicides: self-defence, suicide and gender-related killings. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/GSH2015_full_report.pdf

[5] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). Global study on homicides: self-defence, suicide and gender-related killings. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/GSH2015_full_report.pdf

[6] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2017). Global study on homicides: self-defence, suicide and gender-related killings. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/GSH2017_full_report.pdf

[7] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). Global study on homicides: self-def