“When Will This Violence End?” Global Murders of Transgender People on the Rise

Over the past year, the number of transgender individuals murdered globally has risen sharply, which activists say reflects the growing influence of anti-rights sentiments and transphobic agendas.

Marking Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November, Transgender Europe (TGEU) has released its annual update from the Trans Murder Monitoring Project. This initiative, active since 2008, documents cases of violence against trans and gender-diverse people worldwide.

Between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024, 350 trans and gender-diverse individuals were reported murdered — an increase from the 321 cases recorded the previous year.

“It confirms what the trans community has been saying – transphobic violence is in no way subsiding, and on the contrary, is increasing, aided by growing anti-trans hate speech,” the organisation stated.

5,000 Murders Documented Since 2008

This year, the total number of recorded murders has surpassed 5,000 since TGEU began its monitoring efforts. Consistent with previous years, 94% of the victims were trans women or transfeminine individuals, with sex workers comprising 46% of all known occupations among those targeted.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of reported murders occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil continues to lead the global rankings, accounting for 30% of the total cases for the 17th consecutive year.

Africa recorded nine murders during this period, the highest annual total since the project began. South Africa reported four cases:

• Jo-Ann Isaks, 27 (Upington)
• Karabelo Pudumo, 18 (Kimberley)
• Thabang Mmelusi Maboela, age unknown (Johannesburg)
• Clemmy Hadebe, 22 (Johannesburg)

Namibia recorded two murders: Queen Uwuseb, 35, and Charmy Fredricks, 30, both in Windhoek. Other reported cases on the continent occurred in Nigeria (Chantelle Ifeanyi, 33, Abuja), Côte d’Ivoire (Asmara, age unknown, Abidjan), and Burkina Faso (N.N., age unknown, Ouagadougou).

A Surge in Hate Speech and Violence

In a joint statement with TGEU, several organisations attributed the rise in violence to “concerted efforts by anti-gender and anti-rights movements that instrumentalise and vilify trans people to push wider anti-democratic political agendas.”

They noted an alarming increase in online and offline hate speech, often perpetuated by political figures, religious leaders, and public personalities. Weak hate crime legislation that fails to protect gender identity and expression, combined with a lack of accountability for social media platforms enabling hate speech, has exacerbated the crisis.

“When will this violence end? We can no longer afford to wait! States must commit to immediate action to counter the surge in anti-trans hate speech and attacks and break this cycle of violence! Our lives depend on it!” urged Ymania Brown, Executive Director of TGEU.

Remembering the Fallen

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually to honour the memory of those lost to transphobia and to raise awareness of the ongoing violence faced by transgender individuals.

Founded in 1999, the day memorialises Black transgender women Rita Hester, murdered in Allston, Massachusetts, and Chanelle Pickett, murdered in Watertown, Massachusetts.