Femicide in Africa: Confronting a Crisis of Gender-Based Violence 

Femicide, the gender-based killing of women because they are women is one of the most extreme manifestations of gender inequality and patriarchal violence. Defined as the intentional murder of women rooted in misogyny, it is a chilling reminder of the systemic inequalities that persist across societies. This pervasive crisis is not just a collection of harrowing statistics; it is a global emergency that underscores the fragility of women’s safety in their homes, workplaces, and communities. As the world observes the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are compelled to confront the rising epidemic of femicide, especially in Africa, and to demand collective action. 

Recent Tragedies: A Spotlight on Africa's Crisis 

The brutal murder of Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in September 2024 has highlighted the deadly crisis facing women across Africa. As Eunice Dollar, Executive Director of Smart Ladies Youth Initiative, one of Feminist Opportunities Now's grantee partner in Kenya expressed, "Rebecca Cheptegei's murder is yet another devastating blow. Another athlete was brutally killed on Kenyan soil. It is horrifying. And now, as we review the outcomes of the Agnes Tirop Conference - another marathoner who was brutally murdered by her partner, it is clear: we must do more than just ‘level the playing field’ for women in sports. We must take action to support female athletes and create an environment where they feel safe and empowered.” 

In Côte d'Ivoire, the murder on 11 September 2024 of a young woman aged 19 in the country’s capital, Abidjan, has rekindled concerns about femicide in the country. These latest tragedies follow a string of femicides that have sent shockwaves through the African continent. Among these are the heartbreaking death of Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei and the brutal murder of student Christana Idowu,  who was abducted by a school mate and church member are painful reminders that femicide is a threat to all women. In 2022, UN Women reported, 89,000 women  and girls were murdered worldwide the highest in two decades. Africa alone saw 20,000 women killed by their partners, marking one of the highest femicide rates globally.  

Côte d'Ivoire, like the rest of Africa, has seen an upsurge in femicide in recent years. The Ligue Ivoirienne des Droits des Femmes (Ivorian League for Women's Rights) recently issued a wake-up call, citing a report by the country's feminist association, which indicates that in 2020 alone, some 416 women were victims. Earlier this year, in response, women in Kenya rallied in the #EndFemicide march, demanding urgent action in the face of rising femicide cases. 

The Challenges: Stigma, Data Gaps, and Impunity 

It is important to note that these figures only represent reported cases, and do not fully reflect the acute reality of women and girls across Africa who have lost their lives to femicide. Cultural stigmas, underreporting of gender-related violence, and weak legal systems designed to protect women contribute to the crisis, obscuring the true scale.  

Additionally, one of the major challenges in addressing femicide is the lack of standardized methods for data collection or reporting across regions, making it extremely difficult to evaluate and compare global data. Despite these gaps, the numbers we do have are not just statistics; they represent the lives of women at stake, their safety compromised, and their futures stolen. 

This crisis goes beyond statistics; it speaks to the systemic impunity that allows violence against women to persist. Women and girls are unsafe even in their own homes, often at risk from the very people closest to them, those who are supposed to provide support and protection. More than half of these killings were carried out by individuals in positions of trust, by current or former husbands, intimate partners, or family members. 

Systemic Roots: Misogyny and Patriarchal Norms 

Femicide is deeply rooted in societal norms and inequalities that reinforce the subjugation of women. Despite its devastating impact, violence against women and girls remains one of the least prosecuted and punished crimes globally. It is "so deeply embedded around the world that it is almost invisible." in response, Ligue Ivoirienne des Droits Femmes (LIDF)  has called for immediate action stating "Despite the laws and commitments made by the authorities to protect women's rights, too little effort is being made to ensure that these measures are strictly applied. The lack of diligence in investigations and the culture of impunity reinforce the cycle of violence." 

All forms of femicide, despite contextual variations, are rooted in misogyny and gender discrimination. Harmful gender norms, deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes including beliefs in male dominance and the subordination of women, and weak or discriminatory legal systems that fail to protect women’s rights or hold perpetrators accountable are manifestations of the same gender inequality that drives violence against women. When societies tolerate or ignore gender-based violence against women, they ultimately normalize it, reinforcing gender inequalities and exacerbating the issue. 

Empowering Change: The Role of Feminist Organizations 

Governments must prioritize the fight against perpetrators' impunity to enable societies to challenge the normalization of gender-based violence. As Alejandra Garcia, the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) Program Manager, emphasizes, "Only through this commitment can we begin dismantling the deeply ingrained acceptance of violence against women." 

The Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project is a vital initiative in the fight against gender-based violence and the promotion of gender equality. Operating in 10 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia; including Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia among others. FON provides technical and financial support to feminist civil society organizations, particularly smaller and often unregistered groups. Funded by the French Development Agency (FDA) and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, FON aligns with France’s feminist diplomacy through its Fund to Support Feminist Organizations (FSOF), created in 2019 to strengthen feminist movements globally. 

Intersectionality: Addressing Marginalization and Risk Factors 

Femicide does not occur in isolation, it intersects with systems of oppression like capitalism, racism, and white supremacy, to further marginalize women, girls, and other gender-diverse people. Dinah Musindarwezo, Director of Policy and Communications at  WomenKind World Wide, explains, marginalized women including LBTQI+ persons, women with disabilities, female sex workers, and domestic workers are at higher risk of femicide. Despite different contexts, all forms of femicide share a common root: misogyny. Yet, there remains a persistent reluctance to confront the deeply ingrained misogynistic intent behind gender-based violence. 

IPPF's Commitment: Ending Femicide and Advancing Equality 

The femicide scourge is ravaging Africa, revealing the pervasive danger women face on the continent. At IPPF, we are committed to addressing this urgent crisis. Alongside our partners, we work to prevent femicide and all forms of gender-based violence. We support the essential work of women’s rights organizations, engage with men and boys to challenge patriarchal norms, and work with communities to dismantle discriminatory practices. Through projects like the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), we are advancing gender equality and fostering safer, more equitable environments across regions. 

We call on governments to invest in women-led strategies that have been proven to prevent violence against women and girls and to firmly address the widespread impunity that perpetuates gender-based violence. The time for action is now before another life is lost.