Thousands protest against femicide in Romania

By AFP

Thousands of people marched against femicide and gender-based violence in Romania's capital on Tuesday, calling on the government to tighten laws following a shocking recent murder of a young woman.

The demonstration was sparked by the murder of a 23-year-old pregnant woman who was shot dead by her ex-partner in front of her daughter in southern Romania in late May.

In 2021, the victim had obtained a protection order after reporting the man for death threats and harassment. But authorities failed to prosecute the alleged attacker.

Tuesday's protest was called by the feminist organisation Filia.

Cristi Buzatu, a 39-year-old lawyer, joined the protest with his daughter so that she would "be aware that this risk exists" and "not accept the slightest sign of aggression".

"I have the impression that women's voices are not taken seriously by the state," he told AFP at a public square in Bucharest.

Many demonstrators wore black clothes and chanted "Down with the aggressors", "Break the patriarchy", while brandishing placards demanding the defence of women's rights.

Filia member Andreea Braga called for greater "transparency" from authorities, with 25 femicides already having been recorded this year in Romania.

Acting prime minister Catalin Predoiu acknowledged the need to "strengthen laws to protect the most vulnerable from domestic violence, first and foremost women and children".

Experts say deep-rooted gender inequality and damaging stereotypes, but also widespread indifference by authorities, contribute to the violence many women face globally.

Almost 85,000 women and girls were intentionally murdered worldwide in 2023, most of them by their partner or relative, according to a report released by the United Nations last year.