Five
women are killed every hour by a partner or family member globally, according
to new figures released by ActionAid ahead of International Women’s day
tomorrow.
An analysis of a United Nations global crime study has revealed that an estimated 43,600 women are killed every year by an intimate partner or family member. This is the equivalent to five women every hour or one woman every 12 minutes.
ActionAid also estimates that over half a million women will die as a result of domestic violence by 2030. Despite this, almost a quarter of countries in the world still have no laws specifically protecting women from domestic violence.
The findings are being launched as part of international development charity ActionAid’s new briefing Fearless Women and Girls - leading the way, transforming lives which sets out the critical role women’s rights groups play in tackling violence.
The report calls on the Government to commit to boosting the proportion of aid going directly to women’s groups working on the frontline. ActionAid is recommending at least £70 million over the next three years to be taken from the existing aid budget.
Research from the Association for Women’s Rights in Development shows women’s rights’ organisations are chronically underfunded, with an estimated average income of just over £14,000 a year per year.
In 2013 the UK committed £9 million to women’s equality organisations and institutions, this equates to less than 1% of total UK aid for gender equality6.
Sarah Carson, Women’s Right’s Campaigns Manager, at ActionAid UK, says:
“As a woman the most common form of violence you are likely to face is domestic violence. This is a horrific symptom of gender inequality.
“With a third of all women experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime, the issue is a global epidemic and one which threatens the lives of millions of women every day, with women living in poverty and those facing other forms of discrimination often at greater risk.
“Women’s rights organisations are often the first and most important source of support to women in crisis, the safe haven that they can turn to for help and the best advocates for change. Research shows that their vital work is the single most effective way to end violence for good. Yet they are chronically underfunded.
“The UK government has already demonstrated its commitment to tackling global violence against women and girls. It must now take the next step and ensure that the necessary money is getting directly into the hands of women on the frontline.”
