Across the globe, people are making a stand against the vicious cycle of violence against women
Whether in Paris, Rome, or Berlin, massive demonstrations are taking place worldwide to commemorate the International Day to End Violence against Women. These protesters are not just making appeals; they're sharing alarming statistics. Regrettably, thousands of femicides continue to plague our world.
On this significant day, individuals from various corners of the globe poured into the streets to demand change. In Italy's capital, Rome, an estimated 50,000 people joined together to march towards the Red-lit Colosseum, as reported by AGI news agency. Similar rallies were held in France, with protesters holding up signs reading "Protect your girls, educate your boys." Countless cities in Germany also hosted protests.
The tragic case of Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old Italian woman reported missing, found dead 120 kilometers north of Venice, and her alleged ex-boyfriend's arrest in Germany, gave this year's demonstrations an extra layer of significance. Luisa Loduce, a 22-year-old demonstrator in Rome, shared these sentiments.
In France, Maëlle Lenoir from the feminist group Nous toutes (We all) asserted, "We don't want to count any more deaths." She urged the government to assign additional resources to eradicate violence against women. As of now, France has reported 121 femicides this year, which is a slight increase compared to what was seen in 2022 (118).
The cries for change echoed across the globe as well. Around 7,000 people in Madrid rallied behind the banner that read, "It's over: our fight is global," initially displayed by Spain's female soccer world champions during their match against Sweden. In Istanbul, around 500 women gathered, holding up signs that read, "We will not remain silent."
Friday evening saw the commencement of protests in South America. In Guatemala, candles shaped a 438, symbolizing the 438 women who were killed in the country this year. Similar demonstrations took place in Santiago de Chile, where around 1,000 demonstrators held up portraits of victims. On Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, 722 pairs of shoes were placed, each pair in front of the name of a woman who was killed in Brazil this year.
In Argentina, Buenos Aires witnessed protests against President-elect Javier Milei, an outspoken critic of women's rights. As a right-wing populist, Milei has proposed plans to abolish the Ministry for Women, Gender, and Diversity and to outlaw abortions and equal pay.
The United Nations reports a staggering figure of approximately 89,000 women and girls intentionally killed worldwide in the past year—the highest level seen in the past 20 years.
These demonstrations extend beyond national borders, with thousands of Women's Demonstrations and Protests taking place worldwide. The staggering figure of deliberate female killings now stands at its highest level, according to UN Women and UNODC data, with approximately 89,000 women and girls reported killed globally.
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Enrichment Data: According to the UN Women and UNODC data, the highest reported level of intentional female killings globally, in the past 20 years, was approximately 89,000 women and girls in 2022. These figures represent deliberate fatalities of women and girls, not necessarily the highest annual rate in the span of the past 20 years. Maisons des femmes, a French organization actively fighting against gender-based violence, reported an average of 66,000 women being violently murdered globally each year, making up around 17% of all intentional homicides.
