In July 2026, 25 women were killed by men, and 31 women were found suspiciously dead.

2026 July Report*

25 Femicides and 31 Suspicious Deaths of Women in July

The fight to stop femicides in Turkey has been going on for 16 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.

 

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

 

 

Femicide data in the month of July, by city:

 

 

Data Highlights:

The reason behind 17 femicides could not be determined

This month, 25 femicides were committed, and 31 women were found suspiciously dead. 4 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, 3 women were killed on economic pretexts and 1 woman was killed on the pretext of making too much noise at her house. The reason behind 17 of the 25 femicides could not be determined.

The inability to determine the excuse behind the murder of 17 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.

 

Women were most often killed by the man they were married to.

Of the 25 women killed in July, 11 were killed by the man they were married to, 3 by the man they were with, 2 by the man they used to be married to, 2 by the man they used to be with, 2 by an acquaintance, 2 by a relative, 1 by her father, 1 by her son and 1 by her brother. This month, 44% of the women who were killed were killed by the man they were married to.

 

Women were most often killed in their homes

13 of the women were killed at their homes, 5 in the middle of the street, 2 in a deserted place and 1 in a vacated field. It could not be determined where 4 women were killed. 52% of the women killed this month were killed in their homes.

 

Women were most often killed with a firearm

14 of the women killed this month were killed with firearms, 6 with sharp objects, 3 by strangulation and 2 by being beaten to death. 56% of the women killed this month were killed with firearms.

We Have the Evidence—Where Is Justice?

Sedef Güler’s lifeless body was found with her hands bound and wrapped in a rug along with weights. This rug, one of the most important pieces of evidence in the murder case, was handed over to her family instead of being preserved. For nearly two years, the family tried to return the evidence to the judicial authorities. The chain of evidence was broken by the judicial authorities, the investigation was not conducted effectively, and uncovering the truth was made more difficult. Her mother was forced to keep the rug on which her daughter was murdered in her home in order for justice to be served.

 

In cases of femicide, we are no longer talking about a single perpetrator; we are talking about a network of relationships that destroys evidence, delays the truth, remains silent, and protects the perpetrators. Digital records are disappearing, critical evidence is not being examined, and families are taking on the state’s responsibilities by chasing after case files.

 

Impunity begins not only in the courtroom but with every piece of evidence that is not collected or preserved.

That is why we ask:

Why was the most crucial piece of evidence in the murder case handed over to the family?

Who is responsible for the incomplete investigations?

Why weren’t all the connections in the case file investigated?

Who is being protected?

Justice for Sedef Güler means not only punishing the perpetrators but also uncovering all the connections to the murder and holding those who failed to protect the evidence accountable.

If we have the evidence, where is justice?

 

Where Is Gülistan Doku?

For years, we’ve been asking the same question: Where is Gülistan Doku?

 

Since January 5, 2020, we have been fighting to find out what happened to Gülistan, to make her family’s voice heard, and to prevent the case from being swept under the rug. We were told that Gülistan might have committed suicide; the search was confined to a specific area, suspicions were not adequately investigated, and attempts were made to close the case. However, Gülistan’s family, women’s organizations, and the public did not remain silent. The questions we persistently asked led, years later, to the emergence of serious findings regarding negligence, interference, and the tampering of evidence in the case.

 

At the current stage, the prosecutor’s office has announced that significant findings and evidence have been uncovered indicating that Gülistan’s body was systematically buried or disposed of by individuals linked to the suspects. As part of the investigation, a series of operations were carried out against former public officials, law enforcement personnel, and individuals deemed to be connected to the case; following four separate operations, the number of detainees has risen to 28.

 

These developments demonstrate just how justified and necessary the questions we have been asking for years truly are. Gülistan did not simply disappear; the truth about what happened to her has been deliberately delayed. It must be fully explained why evidence was not collected in a timely manner, who undermined the investigation, who concealed information and records, and which public officials failed to fulfill their responsibilities. However, justice has not yet been served. Gülistan has still not been found, her family still does not know where their daughter is buried, and the investigation has not yet been completed. This case cannot be considered closed until all those truly responsible have been identified and brought to trial, Gülistan’s whereabouts have been revealed, and her family has been given answers.

 

For years, we have asked, “Where is Gülistan Doku?” Thanks to our struggle, the veil over the truth has begun to lift. Now we ask our question with even greater urgency: What did you do to Gülistan, where did you take her, and who has been hiding this truth for all these years?

 

Until Gülistan is found and all perpetrators and those responsible are brought to justice, we will not give up our struggle.

Sinem Dedetaş Is Not Alone

For centuries, women have been fighting not only to survive, but also to be visible, to have a say in decision-making, and to govern. Therefore, the arrest of Sinem Dedetaş, the Mayor of Üsküdar, should be viewed not merely as an individual legal proceeding, but also in terms of women's political representation, their presence in the public sphere, and the state of democracy.

 

The feminist struggle has taught us this: women's presence in the public sphere was never achieved automatically. Every mayoral position, every council seat, every leadership role is the result of a long-standing struggle against the male-dominated political structure. For this reason, every development affecting women's presence in leadership matters not only for one individual, but for the right of all women to equal representation.

 

We will continue to advocate for a country where the law operates equally, independently, and fairly for everyone; a country where women can live without fear, engage in politics freely, and participate equally in decision-making mechanisms.

 

Because we know that women's struggle is not just for today, but to build an equal and free society for the future. We will not be silenced, we will not back down, and we will not give up on solidarity. We will continue to defend women's lives, labor, will, and right to representation; we will continue to expand our fight for justice, equality, and freedom.

Case Developments of July

In Izmir, Çağlar D., who stabbed and robbed an 18-year-old woman and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, was released under judicial supervision after spending 1 year and 9 months in custody.

 

In Ankara, two perpetrators who verbally harassed 14- and 15-year-old girls and assaulted a 72-year-old man who intervened were released pending trial.

 

Although eight years have passed since Aysun Yıldırım’s suspicious death, the case remains unsolved. Despite the discovery of a man’s DNA under her fingernails as well as the absence of fingerprints on the window and window sill from which she was said to have fallen, the case has been dismissed twice. Our appeal to the Directorate for the Investigation of Unsolved Crimes also yielded no results. The Directorate merely referred our appeal to the prosecutor’s office that had previously issued the two dismissal decisions. The prosecutor’s office issued another dismissal decision within a period of just one month, without conducting any investigation. The duty of an institution like the Directorate for the Investigation of Unsolved Crimes, which claims to solve suspicious deaths and employs hundreds of judicial officials, should not be limited to this. We will continue our struggle until all doubts surrounding Aysun’s death are dispelled and the truth is brought to light.

What happened regarding women in July?

Filenin Sultanları ('The Queens of the Net’, Turkey women's national volleyball team) won the Nations League championship. We congratulate all the volleyball players who turned their hard work, solidarity, and determination into victory.

 

The Turkish Medical Association’s (TTB) Women in Medicine and Women’s Health Branch has launched a disciplinary investigation into the male doctor who advertised 'female genital mutilation'. It was stated that the procedure violates the bodily integrity, health, and fundamental human rights of women and girls and constitutes a severe form of violence with no scientific basis.

Sexual Violence Increases, Impunity Protects the Perpetrators

In a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old child in Şırnak, the 20-year prison sentence handed down to the perpetrator was overturned on appeal based on the assessment that the child appeared to be over 15 years old and that the acts might have been 'consensual'. The perpetrator was acquitted.

In a case filed last year by E. Ö., who was sexually assaulted in Istanbul by a man she used to be with, the defendant had been sentenced to 12 years in prison. However, the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned this decision and ordered the defendant’s release. Although three weeks have passed since the release order was issued, E. Ö. was not notified of it and learned of the decision through social media.

 

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.

 

In Istanbul, Özlem Yıldız was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a home located in the judges’ and prosecutors’ housing complex belonging to the former prosecutor Ergün G. An investigation had previously been launched against Ergün G. on charges of depriving a woman of her liberty.

In Bursa, 32-year-old Buse Taşer, mother of two, was found dead under suspicious circumstances with a gunshot wound to her chest. One person was taken into custody.

 

In Şırnak, 25-year-old Gülçin Özcan was found dead under suspicious circumstances after falling from the sixth floor of a building.

 

In Mardin, 13-year-old Ela Tan died after sustaining a gunshot wound from a firearm. While suspicions surrounding her death continue, her father Hüseyin Tan was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.

 

In Mardin, 15-year-old Merve Erbek was found in her home with a gunshot wound to the back of her head.

 

In Batman, 22-year-old Kübra Işık was found in her home with a gunshot wound.

 

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

In Isparta, 59-year-old Yüksel Uçar was stabbed to death by her neighbor N. Y., under the pretext of making too much noise. The perpetrator also injured Yüksel Uçar's 20-year-old daughter Çilem Çağlar.

 

In Manisa, 55-year-old Sultan Gürel Gök was stabbed to death by Hikmet Gök, the man she was married to and had gotten a restraining order against. It was revealed that Sultan had obtained the restraining order one week before she was killed after the perpetrator assaulted her.

 

In Karabük, 29-year-old Tutku Burcu Köseoğlu, mother of three, was stabbed to death by Yusuf B., the man she was with. It was learned that the perpetrator, who committed suicide after the incident, had recently been imprisoned for violence against women and had six prior criminal records.

 

In Adana, 40-year-old Hatice Mine Kocamaz was shot and killed with a firearm by Hamza Eren Kocamaz, the man she was in the process of divorce due to ‘severe conflict’.

 

In Antalya, 21-year-old Azize Tekin was shot and killed with a firearm by Berat Bozçalı, the man she used to be with. It was revealed that the perpetrator, who committed suicide after the incident, forced his way into Azize’s house and also assaulted J. Y., who was in the house at the time.

 

In Istanbul, 27-year-old Bedriye Karaçay, mother of three, was strangled to death by Volkan Karaçay, the man she was married to. It was learned that after killing Bedriye, the perpetrator wrapped her body in a blanket and left it in the forest.

 

In Adana, 44-year-old Semra Yılmaz was shot and killed with a firearm at an observation deck by Osman Ataş, the man she was with, under the pretext of jealousy. The perpetrator later killed two people who he believed had witnessed the murder.

 

In Şanlıurfa, 35-year-old Aysel Bulut was shot and killed with a firearm by Müslüm Bulut, the man she was married to. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon.

 

In Düzce, Saime Kocatepe was shot and killed with a pump-action shotgun in a field by Yaşar Kocatepe, the man who was involved in a land dispute with her brother. The perpetrator fled the scene but was later apprehended and taken into custody.

 

In Trabzon, 69-year-old Emine Gülle was shot in the head and killed with a firearm by her brother-in-law, P. G. The perpetrator also seriously injured Emine’s 51-year-old daughter and 14-year-old grandchild. The perpetrator was taken into custody.

 

In Şanlıurfa, 60-year-old Emine D. was shot with a firearm by Ahmet D., the man she was in the process of divorce. She lost her life in the hospital. The perpetrator was arrested.

 

In Kırklareli, 26-year-old Çisem Çalkantı was shot and killed with a firearm in a playground by Y. K., the man she had divorced. Çisem’s 4-year-old daughter Öykü, who was critically injured, lost her life the following day.

 

In Bitlis, 34-year-old Leyla Özdemir was shot and killed with a firearm by Ömer Özdemir, the man she was married to. The perpetrator was apprehended.

 

In Istanbul, it was revealed that Gülay Polat, who was reported missing, was killed in an abandoned building by her coworker, Erkan K. The perpetrator, who took Gülay’s jewelry and sold it for cash, was arrested after confessing to the murder.

 

In Düzce, 45-year-old Sergül Şen was severely beaten by K. Ş., the man she was married to. After spending three days in intensive care, Sergül lost her life. The perpetrator was arrested.

 

In Istanbul, 51-year-old Türkan İ. was shot and killed with a firearm by Davut G., the man she had divorced. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident.

 

In Bursa, 45-year-old Naciye B. was strangled to death with a rope by Erol B., the man she was married to. The perpetrator was arrested.

 

In Gaziantep, Gülseren Doğu was stabbed to death by Eyüp Atar, the man she had divorced two years earlier and who was released from prison on leave. The perpetrator committed suicide after the incident.

 

In Konya, Dursuniye Öztürk and her daughter Esmanur Öztürk were stabbed to death by Rahman Öztürk, Dursuniye’s stepson. The perpetrator was taken into custody.

 

In Muğla, 38-year-old Sevil Işıktekin was severely beaten by Niyazi B., the man she was with. Sevil was taken to a hospital, where she lost her life the following day. The perpetrator was taken into custody.

 

In Kilis, 40-year-old Hülya Eser was shot and killed with a firearm in a teahouse by Hikmet Eser, the man she was in the process of divorce.

 

In Gaziantep, 72-year-old Hatice Gevrek was shot and killed with a hunting shotgun by Halil Gevrek, the man she was married to. The perpetrator was taken into custody.

 

In Gaziantep, 25-year-old Bilge B. was shot and killed with a firearm in the middle of the street by H. B., the man she was in the process of divorce. A search has been launched to apprehend the perpetrator, who fled the scene.

 

*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”