Homicidal Violence Against Women in Africa: Country-Level Trends From 1990 to 2021

Interpersonal violence against women (VAW), particularly femicide, remains a critical public health concern in Africa. Although age-standardized death rates have declined between 1990 and 2021, overall rates remain significantly higher than the global average. To better understand this issue, we conducted a descriptive analysis using modeled estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study to examine femicide trends across 54 African countries from 1990 to 2021. We assessed mortality using age-standardized mortality rates and morbidity using disability-adjusted life years. We found that mortality associated with physical violence involving sharp objects decreased over time, whereas no declines were observed in firearm-related or other forms of violence. Substantial variations emerged among countries, with some showing notable improvements and others experiencing worsening rates. Wide disparities in female-to-male homicide ratios underscored differing vulnerabilities across the continent. Moreover, the mean ages of female homicide victims varied considerably, pointing to possible age-specific risk factors. Despite some overall declines, femicide rates in Africa remain high, highlighting the need for context-specific strategies. Strengthening and localizing research efforts will help refine modeled estimates and enhance our understanding of femicide in Africa, thereby informing effective strategies to reduce VAW and improve their safety across the continent.