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

The issue of gender-based violence against women, particularly the high rates of femicide or the killing of women, is a significant and pressing concern that deserves our attention and action. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner [1]. This violence can result in both short-term and long-term physical, sexual, and mental health consequences for women, including injuries, disability, and even death [2].

Femicide, or the intentional killing of women because of their gender, is a particularly egregious form of gender-based violence. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that globally, nearly 87,000 women were intentionally killed in 2017, representing 14% of all recorded homicides that year [3]. In many cases, femicide is linked to intimate partner violence or domestic abuse [4].

The impact of femicide extends beyond the individual woman who is killed. It also affects her family members, friends, and community, as well as contributing to a culture of violence against women [5]. Femicide is a violation of women's human rights and a preventable public health issue that requires urgent attention and action from governments, civil society organizations, and individuals [6].

It is important to note that while the focus here is on the killing of women, gender-based violence against women takes many forms beyond femicide, including sexual violence, physical violence, emotional abuse, and economic coercion [7]. All forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable and require a comprehensive response from society as a whole.

In response to this issue, various initiatives have been launched to prevent and address gender-based violence against women, including legal frameworks, public awareness campaigns, and community-based interventions [8]. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of this violence and to ensure that women are safe from harm [9].

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/9789241548625/en/

2. World Health Organization. (2013). WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women: an analytical report. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241548632/en/

3. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2019). Global study on homicide 2019. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/gsh/en/homicide/

4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2019). Global study on homicide 2019: statistical annex. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/gsh/en/homicide/documents/GSH-2019-Statistical-Annex-English-web.pdf

5. World Health Organization. (2013). WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women: an analytical report. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241548632/en/

6. United Nations. (2015). Declaration on the elimination of violence against women. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/events/endviolencetowomen2015/declaration.shtml

7. World Health Organization. (2013). WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence against women: an analytical report. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/violence/9789241548632/en/

8. United Nations. (2015). Declaration on the elimination of violence against women. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/events/endviolencetowomen2015/declaration.shtml

9. United Nations. (2015). Declaration on the elimination of violence against