Home 'Most Dangerous Place' For Women Across The World, Find New UN Study

Geneva, November 26: A new study conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has found "home" to be the most dangerous place for women across the world. The report is based on statistics curated from all major countries. The findings have revealed that the maximum perpetrators of female homicides were family members or intimates of the victim.

The findings, released on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, reveal that out of the 87,000 recorded female homicide cases in 2017, nearly 50,000, or 58%, were murdered inside their homes by either the family members or their intimate partners. The death toll roughly amounts to 137 deaths per day or six per hour. Crime Against Women And Children in India: The Sad Story of Selective Anger, Religion And Politics.

UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov said the study proves that women continue to suffer more from domestic violence, due to "gender inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes."

Continent-wise, Asia has recorded the maximum number of female homicide cases last year -- with nearly 20,000 recorded crimes. The rate of murder committed by family members or intimates was less as compared to Africa and Americas. While 0.9 per 1,00,000 women were killed by family members in Asia in 2017, the rate was 3.1 in Africa and 1.6 in North and South America combined.

The UNODC report red-flags the lack of legal options before women in several developing nations to seek protection against their domestic abusers. While the report calls for legislations to educate men and reform criminal justice framework, it concludes stating that "tangible progress in both protecting and saving the lives” of vulnerable women has stagnated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 11:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).