Women on death row: Abused, coerced, ignored

Between 500 and 1,000 women worldwide are currently on death row, with many facing execution while their histories of abuse, coercion, or poverty are overlooked. Countries like China, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia report the highest numbers of executions for women, primarily for murder and drug trafficking. These sentences are often handed down without full consideration of the gender-based vulnerabilities and difficult circumstances that led them to criminal activity.

Individual cases reveal patterns of injustice. Christa Pike in the US, Pakhshan Azizi in Iran, Rosita Said in Indonesia, Lemi Limbu in Tanzania, and Asiya Bibi in Pakistan all highlight systemic failures. These women, some with documented histories of severe abuse, mental illness, or manipulation, found their mitigating factors ignored during trials. The mandatory death penalty in some nations and disregard for gendered violence further exacerbate the issue.

Many women on death row experience worse prison conditions, including solitary confinement. The fight for fair trials and the consideration of all circumstances, especially for women from marginalized or vulnerable backgrounds, remains a critical global issue. These cases underscore a need for judicial systems to recognize and address the complex factors influencing women's involvement in crime.