Femicide in Ethiopia: an autopsy-based cross-sectional study

Femicide, the most extreme form of gender-based violence directed at women and girls, often lacks sufficient national statistical data in several countries. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Global Study on Homicide reported that Ethiopian data were unavailable. Moreover, there is no published evidence regarding femicide cases. To address this gap, this study investigated femicide victims referred for medicolegal autopsies at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate all femicide cases (aged ≥ 15 years) that were observed over the course of one year, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, at SPHMMC. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Associations between categorical variables were assessed with the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and independent t-tests were used to compare means between groups. Statistical significance was determined as p < 0.05. There were 62 femicide cases, representing 10.7% of all female cases and 2.0% of all medicolegal deaths. Of the 62 femicide cases, 53.2% were classified as intimate femicide, with 87.9% involving current partners and 12.1% involving former partners. The remaining 46.8% were classified as non-intimate partner femicide. The average age of the victims was 33.4 years, with half between 21 and 30 years. Perpetrators averaged 30.5 years old, with the majority falling within the 31–40 age range. Quarrels and disputes (46.8%) were the most often cited motive, followed by jealousy (13%). Most femicides occurred at night (64.5%) within private residences (72.6%). A history of prior intimate partner violence was recorded in 39.4% of cases. Blunt trauma (50%) and sharp injuries (29%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. Femicide in Ethiopia is a significant public health and human rights concern, with a high proportion linked to intimate partner violence. The predominance of documented prior abuse, blunt trauma, domestic settings, and nighttime homicides reflects both the private nature of violence and systemic barriers to prevention. Integrating robust risk-assessment and early-warning mechanisms within healthcare, justice, and community structures is essential for identifying women at imminent risk and averting escalation to femicide.