Violence against women has become a significant problem, drawing huge concern in recent years around the world, while cases of femicide have outraged many countries. In particular, during the last few years, Türkiye has faced a rise in violent incidents against women, poignantly expressed by such tragic recent killings as those of Sıla Y., İkbal Uzuner, and Ayşenur Hilal, victims of gender-based violence in 2024. The number of femicide victims in Türkiye in 2024 has reached 311 so far, and tragically, the number continues to grow each day. Such killings highlight the need for stringent institutional and organizational measures for the protection of women. While Türkiye has taken some steps in this regard, comparisons with other countries reveal many areas where its systems can be revised and improved to better protect women.
Protection institutions and organizations for women exist in Türkiye and are supported by legal frameworks aimed at preventing violence against women. The most well-known legal mechanism is Law No. 6284, which protects women from domestic violence and offers preventive measures. As a result, protection orders can be granted, shelters can be offered, and free legal aid can be provided. Moreover, Türkiye has established a ministry called the Ministry of Family and Social Services, which administers women-at-risk shelter homes and hotlines.
In 2011, Türkiye was the first state to sign the historic international agreement known as the Istanbul Convention, initiated with the aim of abolishing violence against women. However, in 2021, Türkiye officially withdrew from this convention, a decision that received widespread criticism both domestically and internationally. This is considered a backward step in the struggle for women’s protection and rights in the country.
Since the withdrawal, feminist movements and women’s rights organizations, such as Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu (We Will Stop Femicide Platform), have been vocal in demanding that the government return to more protective laws for women. Law No. 6284 is still in force and has not been abolished, but discussions on its implementation and effectiveness continue.
Despite all these efforts, the growing number of femicides—from the recent case of İkbal to Ayşegül—suggests that critical gaps still exist in the institutional support provided to women in Türkiye. Insufficient law enforcement, cultural attitudes, and a lack of adequate shelters and other resources form crucial vulnerabilities for many women.
Comparative Look: Protection of Women in Other Countries
Numerous countries provide good case studies on how institutions in Türkiye can be further improved. For instance, Spain, Sweden, and Australia have already established comprehensive frameworks for addressing violence against women, which have proven to be quite successful.
Spain: Legal and Support Structures at the Forefront
Spain has emerged as a leading example in addressing domestic violence, particularly through the Organic Law on Integrated Protection Measures against Gender Violence, established in 2004. The law not only focuses on punishing violence but also takes extensive care of the victim. Spain provides immediate legal aid, psychological assistance, and access to specialized gender violence courts for swift action. Additionally, a national monitoring system tracks restraining orders and updates records in real-time between the police and judiciary.
Another key aspect is Spain’s early intervention mechanisms. The government organizes educational programs to teach youth about gender equality and the prevention of abusive behaviors, helping to address the root causes of violence. This is something from which Türkiye could learn: taking early steps, not limiting action to after the violence has occurred, but focusing on prevention.
Sweden: Complex Policy of Gender Equality
Among the many positive features of Sweden, the policy for gender equality contributes to reducing violence against women. In line with that, the National Strategy to Prevent and Combat Men’s Violence Against Women opens up a focus on prevention and protection. One of the striking features of Sweden’s system is the comprehensive data collection on gender-based violence, not excluding data-driven policymaking.
Sweden not only boasts an excellent network of government-run shelters but also undergoes better police training. Therefore, police reactions can be quick, immediate, and even sensitive to the layers of complexity surrounding a situation of domestic violence. This system could be further improved in Türkiye by increasing the number of shelters and offering more effective police training so that police can handle such situations with skill and sensitivity.
Australia: Community-Based Support and Legal Aids
Australia has effectively tackled domestic violence through strict legal measures, strong community support, and innovative use of technology. The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children in Australia is a long-term approach that coordinates the actions of the government with non-governmental organizations. Australia provides extensive legal aid for women, enabling survivors to navigate the legal system effectively.
Similarly, Australia uses technology to protect women. The government provides panic alarms and GPS-tracking devices to women (CHPS-Government Provided Personal Alarms) who have filed restraining orders against an abuser. These are connected to the police, who can, therefore, act in instances of emergency. Such measures could be introduced in Türkiye, especially where police response times may be slower throughout the country.
Possible Ways of Improvement for Türkiye
In light of the recent femicides of İkbal and Ayşegül, the current system in Türkiye does not offer effective protection for women. If Türkiye can learn from the experiences of other countries, it can enhance its institutions in the following ways:
Restoring and Reinforcing Legal Frameworks: The loss resulting from Türkiye’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention was critical. It is important to rejoin the convention and expand the legal protections provided by Law No. 6284 as an essential step toward improvement. Setting up special courts to deal with gender-based violence, as seen in Spain, would ensure that justice is delivered more swiftly and effectively.
More Shelters and Facilities: Given the size of Türkiye, women’s shelters are relatively few, particularly in rural areas. This calls for an increase in the number of well-equipped shelters, accessible to all. Additionally, there is an urgent need to extend psycho-social and legal services to help women overcome abusive situations.
Data Collection and Police Training: In line with Sweden, effective data collection on domestic violence cases will help Türkiye frame more pragmatic policies. Training police personnel to handle such cases with sensitivity and efficiency will also minimize the number of cases falling through the cracks in the system.
Panic Buttons and GPS-Enabled Devices: Panic buttons or other GPS-enabled devices that could be directly linked to law enforcement for real-time responses in emergencies, as used in Australia, could be implemented in Türkiye to provide immediate protection for women in danger.
The murders of İkbal and Ayşegül are devastating reminders of the femicide crisis that has been ongoing in Türkiye. While the country has been working toward safeguarding women, what is in place is still not enough. Drawing from the experiences of other countries—such as Spain, Sweden, and Australia—would help reinforce legal frameworks, increase the availability of resources, and utilize technology in protecting women. Such issues require not only political will but also societal commitment—no more lives should be lost due to gender-based violence.
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