
‘Social peace is essential for women's safety’

2025-08-08 09:18:30


	ANKARA – Ece Yılmaz, Ankara Representative of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform (KCDP), emphasized the importance of social peace for ensuring women's safety. She called on the newly formed “Commission for National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy” in the Turkish Parliament to take concrete steps against femicide.

	&nbsp;

	According to KCDP data, 167 women were murdered in the first seven months of 2025, while 175 others died under suspicious circumstances. In July alone, JINNEWS reported 28 femicides and 25 suspicious deaths of women.

	&nbsp;

	‘FEMICIDE IS A DEEP SOCIETAL PROBLEM’

	&nbsp;

	Ece Yılmaz stated that the increasing number of femicides in Turkey reflects a profound social issue driven by multiple interconnected factors. She highlighted the state's “impunity policies” as a major contributor: “Sentence reductions for ‘unjust provocation’ or ‘good behavior’ in court encourage perpetrators. Some are released shortly after committing murder, creating a sense of immunity and fueling further violence.”

	&nbsp;

	She also criticized the 2021 withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, saying it weakened protections for women: “Even if poorly implemented, the convention had a deterrent effect. Its removal empowered perpetrators and endangered women.”

	&nbsp;

	

	&nbsp;

	Although Law No. 6284 aims to protect women, Ece Yılmaz noted that it is not applied effectively. “Many women are sent back to homes where they face abuse, and 65% of those killed in the first half of 2025 were under state protection.”

	&nbsp;

	‘GOVERNMENT POLICIES REINFORCE GENDER INEQUALITY’

	&nbsp;

	Ece Yılmaz argued that state policies reinforce traditional gender roles and exclude women from full citizenship: “Campaigns like ‘Family Year’ promote confinement to the home. Most femicides occur at home, committed by men close to the victims. Homes have become sites of violence, not safety.”

	&nbsp;

	She also pointed to the economic crisis as a factor, saying it restricts women’s financial independence and reduces access to fair employment.

	&nbsp;

	‘WOMEN MUST TAKE PART IN THE PEACE PROCESS’

	&nbsp;

	Ece Yılmaz underlined the importance of including women and women’s organizations in peace-building efforts: “Social peace builds democratic societies and ensures safety for women. Women must have equal voice in peace commissions and decision-making processes.”

	&nbsp;

	She added that a peace process inclusive of women could inspire feminist movements regionally and globally: “A victory against femicide in Turkey could serve as a powerful example for the global women’s struggle.”

	&nbsp;

	A CALL FOR ACTION FROM THE NEW PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION

	&nbsp;

	Yılmaz urged the “Commission for National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy” to take urgent steps against femicides. She called for:

	&nbsp;

	*Reinstatement and enforcement of the Istanbul Convention

	&nbsp;

	*Strict application of Law No. 6284

	&nbsp;

	*Elimination of sentence reductions for perpetrators

	&nbsp;

	*Policies to increase women’s employment and economic independence

	&nbsp;

	*Widespread education on gender equality

	&nbsp;

	She concluded: “A justice system that holds perpetrators accountable sends a strong message. A societal shift in mindset is essential. The fight to stop femicides must involve every segment of society, not just for Turkey, but as a beacon for women everywhere.”&nbsp;

	&nbsp;