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Horribly, Türkiye witnessed a high number of femicide cases in 2024. As women in Türkiye work for a safer and better tomorrow, gender inequality must be addressed publicly and privately.
One phrase that transcends borders for women is: ‘Text me when you’re home.’ Unfortunately, however, even ‘home’ is’t necessarily a safe place for everyone.
According to the UN Women’s Report, one woman or girl was killed every 10 minutes by their intimate partner or a family member in 2023.
Yet, it’s challenging to reach the true statistics of femicide by country because many administrations do not include gender-based violence in their annual records.
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Instead, feminist organizations and civil society groups in each area tend to report these statistics based on local news and personal research.
We Will Stop Femicides Platform of Türkiye (Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu) is one of the few associations in the world that collects data on femicide cases and shares them publicly.
Based on their recent annual report for 2024, Türkiye has witnessed the highest number of femicides since data began being colated in 2010 – with 394 femicides and 258 suspicious deaths of women.
Türkiye’s policy on gender based violence
Türkiye has shown drastic changes in fighting against gender based violence and femicide in the last 20 years. For example, in 2012, Türkiye became the first country to ratify a landmark European treaty to end gender-based violence, known as the İstanbul Convention.
Unfortunately, they also became the first and only country to withdraw from the pact in 2021.
Nonetheless, the country has strict laws and practices to prevent gender based violence and femicide.
Law No. 6284 came into force in 2012 to protect women and children who are subjected to violence, are under threat, or any person who are victims of persistent stalking.
It was created by the current administration and local feminist groups in accordance with the İstanbul Convention.
The code includes several preventive measures, such as Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centers. The KADES app, developed by the security general directorate, also enables women to seek help from the police if they cannot make a phone call.
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Disappointingly, the number of femicide cases is getting higher despite the law.
To understand why, I talked with Mor Çatı Women’s Shelter Foundation, the only independent women’s shelter active in the country, and Güneş Akşahin, a representative from We Will Stop Femicides Platform of Türkiye.
Mor Çatı remarked that Law No. 6284 is currently the most comprehensive regulation in Türkiye that protects women from violence – adding that women face obstacles in the process of benefiting from the statute.
Güneş Akşahin explains these problems in practice by describing the lack of education about the code, impunity, and the failure to track violence.
Among Akşahin’s solutions is the need to separate the politics of women and family and approach gender-based violence independently.
Fighting with gender inequalities and norms in society plays a crucial role in preventing violence and femicide cases. Mor Çatı also emphasizes the importance of women’s participation in the labor division to gain economic independence and empower them in every aspect of life against violence.
Supporting Türkiye’s feminist policies
I asked what Mor Çatı would expect internationally from media outlets and journalists. One of their answers was that it is essential to carry the powerful voice of the feminist movement in Türkiye to the international scene.
Encouragingly, women in Türkiye show extraordinary solidarity with eachother. Local feminist groups follow cases of gender based violence and femicide closely, providing legal and education services.
There is also a website in collaboration with the We Will Stop Femicides Platform of Türkiye called ‘The Monument Counter,’ which helps the public follow individual femicide cases and understand ways in which to commemorate women who lost their lives due to domestic violence.
There are also many ways for people outside of Türkiye to support these efforts. Güneş Akşahin especially highlights that their fight is international and collective. Anyone can follow their work online and become a member.
If you wish, you can donate online to Mor Çatı Women’s Shelter or Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu (We Will Stop Femicides Platform of Türkiye) to support their work.
Gender-based violence and femicide are global issues that require urgent attention. Creating a safe space and learning more about your country’s legalities, regulations, and solidarity services are essential to support others or yourself in an emergency.
