“When will this country be able to protect its women?

This short headline precisely expresses the current state of helplessness we find ourselves in. Indeed, femicide cases continue unabated. In 2023 alone, at least 315 women have been killed. According to the data from the Platform to Stop Femicides, 248 women were also found dead under suspicious circumstances.

The platform, which has been disclosing data on femicides for 15 years, pointed out that the only year femicides decreased was in 2011 when the Istanbul Convention was signed. However, since debates began around the Istanbul Convention, there has been an increase in femicides and suspicious deaths.

In 2023, women were predominantly killed in their homes, often shot with firearms, reaching a rate of 65%. Of the women killed in 2023, 65%, or 205 women, were killed in their supposed safest place— their homes.

The primary reason for these crimes appears to be women making decisions about their lives. On the other hand, most of these women were killed by their husbands. These women were generally from various age groups but predominantly young. Sadly, many were killed despite protection orders.

Moreover, the highest number of murders occurred in Istanbul. In 2023, at least 49 women were killed in Istanbul alone.

The situation is undeniably dire. It seems that this country has much more to do to prevent such crimes. Considering how much importance the current administration places (or unfortunately does not place) on these issues, the situation is far from reassuring.

May God protect our women, grant them strength, “as we seem incapable of adequately protecting them.”