Femicide (or feminicide, as it is referred to in some contexts) is defined as an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation. It is different from homicide, where the motivation may not be gender-related. 

In 2025, UN Women advanced efforts to prevent and respond to femicide and other gender-related killings through strengthened legal, policy and—especially—data frameworks. Building on the UN Statistical Framework for Measuring Gender-related Killings of Women and Girls, implementation continued across 11 pilot countries in all world regions (Albania, Chile, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Mongolia, Senegal and Uruguay) improving the availability and comparability of national data.

Key 2025 activities include the first global meeting on femicide, jointly organized with UNODC, with 25 countries represented (through NSOs and/or law enforcement agencies) and eight regional and international organizations. The meeting informed the development of implementation guidance to be released in early 2026, including work toward a supplement addressing technology-facilitated violence and femicide. 

At global level, UN Women and UNODC continued the annual publication of global femicide estimates, and 2025 estimates were widely disseminated during the 16 Days of Activism, reinforcing evidence-based advocacy and policy action to address gender-related killings.