Testing the United Nations Statistical Framework on Femicide in Ethiopia

This report presents the first systematic effort to test the United Nations Statistical Framework for Measuring Femicide in Ethiopia, focusing on Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administrations for the period 2020/21–2023/24. Commissioned by UN Women under the Making Every Woman and Girl Count (Women Count) programme, the study addresses a critical data gap in measuring femicide—the gender related killing of women and girls—in a context where no standardized national definition or data collection system exists. Using a mixed methods approach combining legal analysis, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and exhaustive docket reviews of police and prosecution files, the study assessed the feasibility of applying the UNODC–UN Women Statistical Framework in Ethiopia. Despite significant data quality constraints, including paper based records, inconsistent documentation, and limited capture of victim perpetrator relationships and motives, the framework proved applicable. Between 2020/21 and 2023/24, 959 intentional homicides were recorded in the two cities, 139 of which involved female victims. 

Applying the statistical framework, 60 per cent of these cases were classified as femicides, 17 per cent as non-gender motivated homicides, and 23 per cent as undetermined due to missing information. Nearly half of femicides were committed by intimate partners, about one fifth by family members, and one third by other perpetrators where gender related motives were identified, including sexual violence, mutilation, or public disposal of bodies. The findings highlight both the feasibility and value of generating femicide statistics in Ethiopia, while underscoring the need for improved data systems, standardized definitions, capacity building within the justice sector, and stronger coordination with national statistical authorities. The report provides concrete recommendations to support Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen evidence-based prevention and accountability for femicide.