What is Femicide?

In recent years, there has been a growing field of international research examining the role of femicides in unexplained disappearances. Sanctuary for Families described femicides in the U.S. as a “silent epidemic” (Sanctuary for Families 2023). What do statistics show about femicide among Black women and what can we learn from this data?

The UN defines femicide as “an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation” (UN, 2025). Femicide is distinct from traditional definitions of homicide in that it involves violence against a women on the basis of her gender. Around 50% of femicides are committed by family members or intimate partners and there are approximately 137 femicides per day worldwide. Yet, even this estimate is believed to be an understatement of the actual rate of femicides. With this information in mind, it becomes glaringly obvious that gender-based violence is inseparable from discussions of missing women. Furthermore, despite gaps in research, it is still not unheard of for long-term missing person cases to be reclassified as no-body homicides.

Black women face higher rates of gender-based violence. According to the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, Black women are twice as likely to be shot by an intimate partner and, between the ages of 18-34, are three times more likely to be shot and killed by an intimate partner (NBWJI, 2022). This problem stems from deep-rooted systemic biases that place Black women in vulnerable situations and criminalize them for actions taken in self-defense. Therefore, not only do Black women face a higher risk of going missing due to femicide, but also a higher likelihood of running away to escape abusive situations. Yet, depending on their circumstances, Black women may still be subject to the risks faced by many runaway women and girls of color.

In its current state, our justice system both raises the likelihood of Black women facing gender-based violence, yet penalizes and recriminalizes many Black women attempting to flee dangerous and abusive situations. Combatting this issue requires extensive reforms, including equitable protections for survivors, comprehensive trauma-informed care, and building a network that supports victims who report abusive situations, rather than inducing fear. Through these changes, we can help to lower the rate of missing Black women by addressing the issue at the root.