The Media Lab's Signal Kinetics research group is hosting a talk with Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon from Monash University. She is a colleague of Professor Fadel Adib's in the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders 2024 class.

"We cannot prevent what we do not measure: addressing femicide through global consistency and action"

A talk by Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon (Monash University, Victoria, Australia)

Abstract: Femicide—the killing of women and girls—is a global crisis that demands urgent attention. In 2023 alone, 51,100 women were killed by a partner or family member, equating to one woman every 10 minutes. Despite growing awareness and efforts to improve prevention and early intervention policies, the way femicide is measured remains inconsistent and fragmented across local, national, regional, and international levels. Within this there is increasing awareness that some women’s lives are not fully accounted for, particularly that of Indigenous women, marginalized women and women who died by suicide after enduring violence. Without a complete and accurate picture of femicide, the ability to respond effectively and prevent future violence is compromised. This presentation will examine the global challenge of femicide and highlight why consistent and coordinated approaches to measurement are critical. Improving how we count and understand femicide is an essential step toward more effectively preventing the killing of women and girls. 

Bio: Kate is an international expert in violence against women and children, femicide, and the impacts of policy and practice reform. Kate Fitz-Gibbon is a Professor (Practice) with the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University in Australia and an Honorary Professorial Fellow with the Melbourne Law School. In 2024 Kate founded Sequre Consulting, which is committed to advancing safety and equality. Kate has published extensively, and advised on homicide law reform and family violence reviews in Australia and internationally. Her research has been cited by the High Court of Australia. In 2021 Kate was appointed Chair of Respect Victoria by the Victorian Government. In 2024, Kate was selected as part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders 2024 class.