Turkey sees surge in suspected femicides as dozens of women die in weeks

Recent data show that in the past six months at least 150 women have been killed by men in Turkey, including the Kurdish regions, with 151 additional deaths classified as suspicious. Families and local activists allege many cases are femicides or forced suicides that are prematurely closed for "insufficient evidence." High‑profile cases this summer include 13‑year‑old Ela Tan in Nisêbîn, 16‑year‑old Y. Ş. in Amed, 15‑year‑old Merve Erbek in Mêrdîn and pregnant Nurcan Akpirinç, whose deaths were recorded as suicides despite threats and prior abuse.

The platform "Women’s Murders Will Be Stopped" reported seven suspicious female deaths within a few days across Turkey—on Istanbul’s beach, in Urfa, Kartal, Ağrı, Mardin and Diyarbakır—highlighting a systemic rise. Comparative data for the first half of 2021‑2026 show the number of suspicious deaths matching or exceeding confirmed femicides, reaching 151 in early 2026. Families describe repeated obstacles: missing reports, uncollected evidence and investigators treating murders as accidents or suicides. Advocates such as Berivan Orhan call for independent, impartial investigations and point to structural impunity that fuels gender‑based violence.