Violence against women and domestic violence is a widespread phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova, which violates their rights and human dignity. National estimates from the Women's Well-Being and Safety Study show that almost three-quarters of Moldovan women (73%) who have ever had an intimate partner have been subjected to some form of violence. The most common form of violence from an intimate partner is psychological violence, which 71% of women said they were subjected to (well above the EU average of 43%). Femicide is the extreme, culminating form of violence against women and girls who live continuously in a violent environment. This form of violence is influenced by hatred, contempt, pleasure, a sense of honor, etc. and can take place in both the private and public spheres, with abusers often being intimate partners, family members or people who know the victim. According to the Global Homicide Report 2019, UNODC, 87,000 women and girls died in 2017. The share of women killed by their intimate partner or other family member in total femicide cases increased from 47% in 2012, at 58% in 2017 (from 48,000 to 50,000 victims). Home remains the most dangerous place for women, who continue to bear the heaviest burden of lethal victimization due to gender inequality and stereotypes. Although women and girls worldwide account for a much smaller share of homicide victims out of the total number of homicides (19% - women and girls, 81% men and boys), they are more often killed by their intimate or family partner. (64% - women and 36% - men). In the Republic of Moldova, as a result of femicide acts, an average of 40 women and girls die annually, and the most frequent place of committing the crime of femicide is the victim's home (30.8%, followed by common housing (27.7%).