Overview

• Hatun Sürücü, a 23-year-old woman, was murdered by her brother in 2005 for choosing a self-determined lifestyle, sparking a national conversation on 'honor killings' and patriarchal norms.
• Recent statistics show that in 2023, 938 women in Germany were victims of attempted or completed femicides, with 360 losing their lives.
• Gedenkveranstaltungen (memorial events) in Berlin this week emphasized the need for expanded support systems, including more women’s shelters and counseling services.
• Critics argue that debates around 'honor killings' often racialize the issue, ignoring the broader prevalence of gender-based violence across all communities in Germany.
• New legislation, including a proposed Gewalthilfegesetz (Violence Assistance Act), aims to provide universal access to shelters and counseling, with a planned €2.6 billion in funding over the next decade.