Femicides Fall 25%, But With 217 Women Dead, Is This Progress?

During the 2025 budget presentation of the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya unveiled a broad set of statistics illustrating developments in public safety, crime prevention, and counterterrorism efforts across Turkey. His address highlighted progress in several key areas, including violence against women, traffic safety, organized crime, illegal firearms, and cybercrime.

Sharp Decline in Femicide as Protective Measures Expand

Minister Yerlikaya reported a significant drop in femicide figures for the first ten months of 2025. A total of 217 women were killed, reflecting a 25.2% decline—or 73 fewer cases—compared to the same period of the previous year. He emphasized that intensified prevention efforts and broader intervention mechanisms played an essential role in this reduction.

The Ministry outlined several measures implemented to strengthen protection and deterrence:

• Electronic Monitoring:
  Authorities monitored 1,556 cases across 67 provinces using electronic tracking systems designed to prevent repeated acts of violence.

• Preventive Measures Against Perpetrators:
  Courts issued 158,411 preventive orders against men, strengthening legal protection for women at risk.

• Protective Measures for Women:
  In addition, 39,735 women received protective orders, ensuring rapid intervention and structured support in cases of imminent threat.

These figures reflect what Yerlikaya described as improved institutional coordination and more extensive use of technological tools.

Traffic Fatalities Reach Alarming Levels

Turning to road safety, Yerlikaya underscored the severe risks associated with traffic accidents. He revealed that an average of 17.4 people lost their lives every day in traffic incidents last year. This daily death toll, he explained, is three times higher than homicides and 19 times greater than deaths linked to narcotics use, placing traffic security among the country’s most pressing public safety challenges.

The minister emphasized that reducing road casualties requires expanded enforcement, improved driver behavior, and strengthened roadway infrastructure.

Counterterrorism Operations Yield Thousands of Arrests

Providing a detailed breakdown of counterterrorism operations conducted between 1 January and 31 October 2025, Yerlikaya announced significant progress against terrorist organizations:

• FETÖ: 1,395 arrests

• ISIS/DEAŞ: 662 arrests

• Other Terrorist Groups: 228 arrests

These operations illustrate the sustained efforts of Turkish security forces to dismantle organizational structures and prevent radical activities nationwide.

Massive Crackdown on Illegal Firearms and Organized Crime

Yerlikaya also addressed the ongoing struggle against illegal firearms and organized crime networks. Security forces confiscated 90,574 weapons, including 41,750 unlicensed handguns, as part of their nationwide crackdowns. A total of 99,327 individuals were processed for firearms-related offenses.

In broader operations targeting smuggling, narcotics, cybercrime, and organized criminal groups, authorities achieved several significant milestones:

• 552 criminal organizations dismantled

• 6,788 suspects arrested

• Around 76 billion TL worth of criminal assets were seized

The large-scale seizure of illicit wealth underscores what the minister described as the state’s determination to “hit criminal finances at their root.”

Cybercrime, Illegal Betting, and Online Propaganda Under Scrutiny

Digital security also played a prominent role in the minister’s presentation. Yerlikaya revealed that security teams identified 163,258 accounts or individuals tied to terror propaganda, illegal betting networks, or online fraud.

During this period, the government took technical action to shut down or block:

• 27,916 illegal betting websites

• 31,059 social media accounts are involved in criminal activity

The minister emphasized the growing importance of digital monitoring tools in maintaining public order and combating online criminal networks.

Public Support for Transparency

Yerlikaya concluded his presentation by noting high public engagement with the ministry’s communication strategy, particularly the social media announcements that detail ongoing operations. This transparency, he suggested, has contributed to stronger public trust and broader societal support in the nationwide fight against crime.