25 Femicides and 21 Suspicious Deaths of Women in March 

The fight to stop femicides in Turkey has been going on for 14 years. As the Platform, since we identified the need in 2010, we have been disclosing femicide data to the public. Instead of explaining how many women have been killed, why, how and by whom, the Ministry of Interior distorts the facts by saying that the data on femicides are incorrectly prepared. It is the duty of the state not only to disclose the reality of femicides and suspicious deaths of women but also to implement concrete solutions to stop femicides. We will continue to fight for the mobilization of all relevant ministries and mechanisms to fulfil this duty. 

The reason behind 21 femicides could not be determined 

This month, 25 femicides were committed, and 21 women were found suspiciously dead. 3 women were killed on the pretext of wanting to make decisions about their own life, such as wanting a divorce, refusing to reconcile, refusing to marry, or rejecting a relationship, and 1 woman was killed on economic pretexts. The reason behind 21 of the 25 femicides could not be determined. The inability to determine the excuse behind the murder of 21 women is the result of violence against women and femicides being rendered invisible. Unless it is determined by whom and why women were killed, unless a fair trial is conducted and the suspects, defendants and murderers are given deterrent punishments and unless preventive measures are implemented, violence continues to increase in size. 

We would like to share the names of the women, each of whom was a life: 

Femicide data in the month of March, by city: 

By whom were the women killed? 

Of the 25 women killed in March, 13 were killed by the man they were married to, 3 by the man they used to be with, 2 by the man they used to be married to, 2 by their son, 1 by her father, 1 by the man she was with, 1 by her brother, 1 by a stranger and 1 by the man who had previously kidnapped her. This month, 52% of the women who were killed were killed by the man they were married to. 

Women were mostly killed in their homes 

17 of the women were killed at their homes, 6 in the middle of the street, 1 in a deserted place and 1 at her workplace. 68% of the women killed this month were killed in their homes. 

Women were mostly killed with firearms 

15 of the women killed this month were killed with firearms and 10 with sharp objects. 60% of the women killed this month were killed with firearms. 

Long Live March 8th, Long Live Women, Long Live Women’s Assemblies! 

On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we were in the squares in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Eskişehir, Çorum, Samsun, Kayseri, Konya, Gaziantep, Gebze, Manisa and Tekirdağ. With every passing year, attacks against our rights increase and our freedoms are tried to be denied. Despite this, we continued our struggle, saying, “We will build free cities, lives and streets”. In our demonstration in 13 different cities, women shouted that they will never give up their free future and equal citizenship rights. Long Live Women, Long Live March 8th! 

Congratulations to all women who have been elected in the local elections. In the March 31st local elections, women became mayors in 11 out of 81 provinces. In the last local elections, this number had been four. In 61 districts, women became mayors. In some provinces, such as Afyonkarahisar, and districts, such as Üsküdar, women became mayors for the first time. In Adana’s Seyhan, Oya Tekin, a member of our Women’s Assemblies, was elected council member. In Batman, Gülistan Sönük, who beat her opponent from HÜDA PAR (a far-right Kurdish Sunni Islamist political party) by a large margin, became mayor. Those who made their political propaganda against women’s rights were answered with the ballot box. In İkizkoy, Akbelen resistance activist Nejla Işık became the muhtar (elected village head). Nejla Işık, who has been fighting to protect İkizköy, stated that they will now continue her struggle as a muhtar together with the villagers. We will continue to fight to increase women’s political representation. Against those who try to lock us in our homes, we are everywhere! 

Authorities Will Not Be Able to Evade Responsibility! 

In March, a landmark verdict was made, a victory for the women’s struggle. Those who were negligent in the femicide of Serpil Erfındık were on trial for ‘dereliction of duty’. In the case, the Constitutional Court ruled for the first time that officials were negligent in a femicide. Punishments were given to the Provincial Director of Family and Social Services of the time for not following up on the protection order and the police station superintendent for failing to ensure the notification and implementation of the protection order. As We Will Stop Femicides Platform, we have always fought for the implementation of the Constitution and the law. We will continue to follow negligence. Again, with this decision, we will remind them of their duties. 

In the last year, 39 women were murdered despite having filed complaints against the perpetrators to the police or prosecutor’s office and sought protection from the relevant authorities. It is known that 20% of the women killed this month had a restraining order against the perpetrator at the time of their murder. Sevilay Karlı, who was murdered last month, had filed a complaint that the man she was married to had violated the restraining order. Sevilay was murdered last month before a decision was served. One month after Sevilay was murdered, a decision was issued stating there was no grounds for prosecution. This month, Hüsna and İrem Falay were murdered when their perpetrator was on leave from prison. Why wasn’t Hüsna, the mother of the perpetrator, informed that he was released from prison on leave? Those who do not enforce the law and neglect their duties are complicit in femicide. As we did in the case of Serpil Erfındık, we will stand against the officials who do not apply the law. We will hold all those responsible to account. We will stop femicides. 

Sexual Violence is Increasing while Impunity is Protecting Perpetrators 

Women and children live under constant threat of sexual violence. In Bağcılar, several children were systematically subjected to abuse by Metin Şenay, who was released from prison in 2009. These abuses, which are reported to have been going on for at least ten years, have only recently been on the agenda of the Ministry of Family and Social Services. We hear news of child abuse from many parts of the country. However, we do not hear about any of them being punished. As a party to the Lanzarote Convention, it is the state ‘s obligation to protect children from all kinds of risks. 

Women also face the risk of violence in all areas of life. As happened in Kırklareli this month, they can be subjected to sexual violence while shopping in the market. Like security guard Gülhan Karadeli, they can be stabbed by someone who had been constantly threatening them. Like Hazal Özçimenoğlu, they can be subjected to sexual violence, and when they file a complaint, they see their perpetrator posting brazen photos of themselves in custody on social media. The reason for all these is the trust given to the perpetrators by the political power and state institutions, as well as the policies of impunity. 

Case Developments of March  

Metin Aydın had confessed to the murder of Pınar Damar, who was found dead in 2022 after being missing for some time. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for ‘qualified sexual assault’ and aggravated life imprisonment for “qualified intentional killing’. 

In the lawsuit filed against Yunus Yıldırım, who stabbed Merve Veziroğlu in 58 places, the public prosecutor requested up to 30 years imprisonment for ’attempted intentional homicide against the spouse’ and ‘deprivation of liberty’. 

In the lawsuit filed against Evren Demirci, who sexually abused four children, 111 years of imprisonment was requested on charges of ‘simple sexual abuse’, ‘qualified injury’ and ‘deprivation of liberty’. 

Gencay Korur, who murdered his wife Ayşe Korur in 2022 and posted on his social media account “feeling proud”, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for ‘intentional killing against a spouse and woman’. 

Sabit Türk had thrown chemical substances on the face and body of Merve Küçüktekin, the woman he used to be with. The Konya Regional Court of Appeals overturned his 15-year prison sentence as insufficient, and a retrial was ordered. 

Suspicious deaths of women should be revealed immediately 

As we have been stating in our reports for a while, there is a very serious increase in the number of suspicious deaths of women presented as suicides or natural deaths and in the number of women who were found suspiciously dead during the pandemic. Unfortunately, shedding light on the suspicious deaths of women can be even more difficult than femicides. It is necessary to reveal whether women were killed, whether they were killed by accident, whether women were killed on the basis of gender (whether it was femicide), whether they committed suicide or whether they were driven to suicide. 

The woman found on the roadside in Gaziantep with gunshot wounds in various parts of her body was identified as 32-year-old Naciye Cengiz. An investigation was launched to find the perpetrator or perpetrators. 

In Istanbul, 70-year-old transgender woman Sanem, also known as Golden Child, was found dead in her house. 

In Istanbul, 48-year-old Songül Kurt fell to her death in Ensar Avuç’s house. It was alleged that Ensar Avuç wrapped her body in a bag and hid it for ten days out of fear. 

In Muş, Ceylan Ö., who went to her house after being subjected to violence by the man she was married to, was found dead. It is claimed that Ceylan, who got a battering report of the assault from the hospital, had committed suicide. 

In Trabzon, 28-year-old Elif A. died after falling from the 7th floor. 

In Trabzon, 19-year-old Rezzan Yel was found dead on the beach. 

What happened regarding women in March? 

In France, a law ensuring the constitutional right to abortion came into force this month. With this law, France became the first country to constitutionally guarantee abortion rights. 

The Greek parliament approved a bill allowing same-sex marriages and adoption by same-sex couples. The lower house of the Thai parliament also approved a bill allowing same-sex marriage. The bill will become a law if passed by the Senate and approved by the king. 

Fidan Ataselim, the Secretary-General of our We Will Stop Femicides Platform, was included in CNN International’s “Gender Equality Defenders” list. 

Bursa Bar Association gave the ‘Strong Woman Achievement Award’ to our We Will Stop Femicides Platform this year. 

The stories of the life struggles of the 25 women killed in March 

In Ankara, 71-year-old Sabiha Çimen, mother of one, was shot to death with a firearm by Metin Çimen, the man she was married to. The perpetrator also killed Sabiha’s 31-year-old son Sinan Çimen with the same weapon. 

In Mersin, 31-year-old Mervegül Bayer was shot to death by Mustafa Yıldır, the man she had divorced one year ago. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident. 

In Adana, 39-year-old deputy chief physician Feray Balkan was shot to death with a firearm by Seçkin E., the man she divorced one year ago. 

In Izmir, 20-year-old İlayda Alkan was stabbed to death in the middle of the street by Yunus Yılmaz. İlayda Alkan’s mother Oya Tarhan was also stabbed and wounded by the perpetrator. 

In Istanbul, 45-year-old Zeynep Bedir, mother of one, was shot to death with a firearm by Cengiz Bedir, the man she was in the process of divorce and whom she had a restraining order against. It was learned that the perpetrator killed Zeynep Bedir and her son Tarık Bedir, who were missing for a while and then buried them in his field. 

In Bitlis, 27-year-old Ayşe İnceyol was shot to death by Cihan Oral. The perpetrator also killed Ayşe İnceyol’s father and brother and seriously wounded her mother. It was learned that the perpetrator kidnapped Ayşe İnceyol 1 year ago, but her family found her and brought her back.  

In Adıyaman, 71-year-old Naile Y. was stabbed to death several times by Abuzer Y., the man she was married to. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Antalya, 52-year-old Antika Ayer was stabbed to death by Vezir Ayer, the man she was married to and had a restraining order against. The perpetrator attempted suicide after the incident.  

In Istanbul, Duygu Can was killed with a firearm in front of her children by Deniz Can, the man she was married to. The perpetrator attempted suicide after the incident.  

In Izmir, 44-year-old Zahide Yurtkal was shot to death with a shotgun by Tamer Yurtkal, the man she was in the process of divorce and had a restraining order against. Her daughter S. Y. was injured by the pellets from the shotgun. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident.  

In Çanakkale, 48-year-old Canan Kabil was stabbed to death by Furkan Sülünoğlu, her son. The perpetrator was imprisoned. 

In Aydın, 17-year-old Ömür Aslan was shot to death by İbrahim Olece, the man she used to be with. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident.  

In Erzurum, 44-year-old nurse Kadriye Böçkün and her 20-year-old daughter Asude Helen Böçkün were stabbed to death by Zülküf Böçkün, the man Kadriye Böçkün was married to. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Kocaeli, 25-year-old Gülhan Esen was shot to death by Muhammet Tarhan, the man she used to be with and who had been stalking her for a long time. The perpetrator was arrested six days after the incident.  

In Batman, 25-year-old Esra Yılmaz was shot and killed by R. B., the man she was living with. The perpetrator also killed Rüknettin Özdemir, who was with Esra. The perpetrator was detained. 

In Izmir, 64-year-old İpek Tarhan was stabbed to death by Hamit Tarhan, the man she was married to. The perpetrator was arrested.  

In Ankara, 38-year-old Derya Çetinkaya was stabbed to death by Murat Çetinkaya, the man she was married to. Her son, who intervened in the incident, was injured. The perpetrator attempted suicide after the incident. 

In Istanbul, 58-year-old Hüsna Falay and 21-year-old university student and basketball coach İrem Falay were killed with a firearm by Uğur Falay, Hüsna’s son and İrem’s brother. It was learned that the perpetrator had been released from prison on leave and had a criminal record for 20 different crimes. 

In Kütahya, 26-year-old and 3-month pregnant Esra Uşak was stabbed to death by Enes Uşak, the man she was married to, while they were visiting a neighbor’s house. 

In İstanbul, Serap Yıldız, mother of three, was shot in the head with a firearm in front of her children by Vehbi Yıldız, the man she was married to.  

In Muğla, 34-year-old housewife Neşe Gülmüş, mother of four, was shot in the head and killed by Vedat Gülmüş, the man she was in the process of divorce. It was learned that Neşe had gotten a restraining order against the perpetrator. 

In Istanbul, 26-year-old Emine Öztürk was stabbed in the back and killed by Osman Öztürk, the man she was married to. It was learned that Emine had filed a complaint against the perpetrator for ‘intentional injury’, and he was sentenced to 7 months and 15 days, and an injunction was issued against him. 

In Istanbul, 43-year-old nurse Sibel Kıvılı, mother of one, was killed with a firearm by her Cumali Varan, the man she used to be with and who worked as a security guard at the same hospital. 

*Our Report: Every month, the news on violence against women in the press includes cases, new incidents and details about the women’s movement. We compile the news reflected in the press and the applications that come directly to us, reach a number and prepare our report within this framework. We analyze, compile and evaluate our Femicide Report according to the concept of femicide. In other words, the conceptualization of femicide is; “the killing or forcing into suicide of individuals of the female gender, from embryo to fetus, infant to child, adult to elderly, by a man, simply because of their gender or on the pretext of their actions contrary to the gender stereotypes. and the perception of gender identity. Femicides should not be perceived sorely as murders in which people of the female gender are killed. In these murders committed with hatred, what is attacked is the female identity itself”