United Nations, November 26 (RHC)-- At least 85,000 adult and young women were intentionally murdered in the world during 2023, according to the UN Women annual report published this Monday.

From the UN office they indicated that the number of deceased women represents "an alarming level" of deaths that could have been "avoided."  UN Women chief Sima Bahous called on countries to tighten legislation and improve data collection on femicides and acts of violence against women.

The report's findings indicate that women and girls who are victims of femicide, or gender-based murder, accounted for 60 percent of the total number of women killed last year.

The report revealed that homes remain the most dangerous place for women, with around 60 percent of them being victims of "their spouse or other family members."  Statistics indicate that at least 140 women die daily, or one every 10 minutes.

According to the report, while femicide affects women and girls in all regions of the world, it is Africa that has the highest number with 21,700 women killed in 2023, and has the highest level of violence considering the size of its female population.

In relative terms, Africa suffers 2.9 femicides per 100,000 women, followed by the Americas (1.6), Oceania (1.5), Asia (0.8) and Europe (0.6).

Many victims reported having suffered physical, sexual or psychological violence before dying, according to data available in some countries. “This suggests that many of the deaths could have been avoided,” the study notes, for example with “court orders.”

Measures that could prevent the murders of women include restraining orders on their male partners that prohibit contact with their potential victims.

[ SOURCE:  teleSUR, EFE, AFP ]