Today is the International Day Against Violence Against Women.
According to a recent UN report, an estimated 51,100 women worldwide were killed by their spouses or loved ones last year.
This means 140 women killed every day, or a killing every ten minutes.
In addition, last year the proportion of women killed in wars doubled compared to 2022, and sexual violence in conflicts increased significantly.
According to the report, more women died as a result of violence last year than in 2022. However, the change does not reflect a real increase, but is largely due to differences in the availability of country-specific data.
The report was prepared by the UN equality organization UN Women and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.
There is enough work at home
UN Women Finland says in a press release that, in the light of statistics, Finland is still one of the most violent countries in the EU for women, and attitudes towards violence are still too permissive.
– Sexual harassment and gender-based violence are significant problems both globally and in Finland. The recent discussion about gender-based violence and related attitudes shows that there is enough work to eradicate violence and guarantee the safety of women and girls in Finland as well, UN Women Finland Executive Director Jaana Hirskangas says in the announcement.
The UN Global Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated today. This year, the official patron of the Orange Days campaign is the spouse of the President of the Republic Suzanne Innes-Stubb.