Global statistics on gender-based violence and femicide updates
Recent reviews of gender-based violence fatalities show that new cases continue to emerge, spanning 2020 to 2022. The Government’s delegation against gender-based violence updated the figures using data from the prosecutor’s office, the general council of the judiciary, and the interior ministry. Since 2003, the total number of women killed due to gender-based violence stands at 1,144, with twenty investigations still ongoing, as reported by major outlets. The trend underscores ongoing risks and the need for vigilant reporting and support systems in North America and Europe alike.
The tally of femicides within intimate partnerships rose to 48 in 2020, 47 in 2021, and 14 so far in 2022. The number of orphans linked to these crimes has grown to 350 since 2013, including a child who lost a mother to sexist violence. These figures are periodically updated by the panel that tracks fatal victims of gender-based violence, primarily by following investigative progress and the outcomes of judicial proceedings stemming from these murders.
This latest update adds six cases that had been weighted differently in earlier official counts and notes that some details are still under investigation. The government’s delegate against gender-based violence announced the revisions, emphasizing the importance of continual data review for accuracy and accountability.
One case involves a 56-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by her partner in Logroño on October 13, 2020. The victim, identified in reports by initials, did not leave any minor children nor had there been prior complaints against the accused. Initial police assessments suggested suicide, but a lengthy investigation led to the husband’s arrest.
In 2021, four new femicides were added to the official statistics. A 41-year-old woman from Valladolid, identified as PIRB, was killed on February 3, 2021, by a partner possibly around 45 years old. The victim left a small child, and the relationship between the couple and the suspect remains under investigation, with the gender-based nature of the crime still considered in review.
Another confirmed case from 2021 involves a 21-year-old Italian-Spanish national who was thrown from a balcony, likely by her partner, in a hotel in Ibiza. Police and forensic investigations were praised for their thorough work, with authorities confirming that the incident was not a suicide or accidental fall. No prior complaints existed in this case.
The third confirmed 2021 case involved a 29-year-old Colombian woman who was allegedly murdered by her partner, a 38-year-old Dominican national, in Barcelona on August 1, 2021. There had been no prior complaints about ill-treatment against the accused.
A fourth 2021 case involved a 40-year-old American citizen who was allegedly killed by her partner, a 56-year-old American, in Cádiz on Christmas Day. The perpetrator reportedly fled Spain, returned later, and surrendered to authorities; there were no prior gender-based violence complaints in this case.
The review also noted the removal of a 38-year-old Moroccan woman who was killed on July 21, 2021, in Barcelona from the statistics as the relationship with the alleged murderer was deemed not to reflect gender-based violence in the case context.
Additionally, the report dismissed a case involving an 81-year-old woman who died on September 2, 2021, from natural causes rather than gender-based violence. A separate update confirmed the reported gender-based violence case involving an 82-year-old woman who died in Los Cristianos (Tenerife) on May 10, with investigations pointing to possible homicide by her husband.
There are still around 20 cases under investigation dating back to 2003, including a few from 2020 and 2021 in various locations. A spokesperson suggested that expanded statistics on femicide would be released before the end of the first term of the year, indicating ongoing efforts to provide clearer national insights for policy makers, practitioners, and the public in North America and beyond.
Ask for help
For victims of all forms of violence against women, a confidential helpline exists in many regions, offering free support in multiple languages and ensuring privacy. Information is also available via email, with coordinators ready to connect individuals to counseling and psychosocial care. In addition, special resources are available for minors through dedicated child advocacy services. All resources aim to support survivors and raise awareness across communities.