Brussels, March 6, 2025 — Forty-four pairs of red women’s shoes were placed at Jean Reyplein in Brussels on Thursday morning, creating a stark visual protest to urge the European Parliament to take stronger action against femicide.
The initiative was organized by Dutch columnist and radio presenter Yesim Candan, who has long campaigned against violence targeting women.
The striking display was intended to symbolize the countless women who have lost their lives to femicide across Europe and beyond.
Each pair of shoes represented a woman silenced by violence, transforming the square into a solemn memorial and a call to action.
The symbolism of red shoes has been used globally to represent women killed by domestic violence, with similar protests held in cities like Amsterdam, where Candan first launched the initiative five years ago.
“What began five years ago as a powerful statement against femicide in Amsterdam is now evolving into a message that transcends borders. Femicide is a global issue that deserves attention everywhere,” Candan stated. Her words echoed across the square, amplifying the urgency of the crisis.
A Growing Crisis in Europe
According to recent statistics, a woman is killed by a man every ten minutes worldwide. In Europe alone, approximately 3,500 women are murdered each year in acts of femicide.
In Belgium, 22 women were killed in 2023. Other European countries reflect similarly grim statistics: in France, the Netherlands, and Italy, a woman falls victim to femicide every three, eight, and four days, respectively.
Violinist Çisem Özkurt and Barbara Godwaldt were among those participating in the Brussels protest. Godwaldt, whose sister was murdered in an act of femicide, has since dedicated herself to combatting this form of gender-based violence.
Her advocacy has already reached the Dutch House of Representatives, where it has received backing from politicians across the spectrum.
“The loss of my sister pushed me to act,” Godwaldt said, holding back tears. “I don’t want any more women to suffer the same fate. This issue demands immediate political action.”
Support from High-Profile Figures
The shoes displayed on the square were donated by various well-known Dutch figures, including Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, and several political personalities.
Their support underscored the widespread recognition of the need to address femicide more aggressively. Candan emphasized the importance of involving men in the fight against femicide, arguing that the issue is not solely a women’s concern but a societal one.
“Men play a crucial role in the fight against femicide. It is not just a women’s issue but a societal problem. It could happen to your daughter, your mother, or your sister,” she concluded.
Increasingly, men have responded to Candan’s call, participating in the movement to highlight that the fight against femicide must involve all of society.
Their presence at the event was seen as a crucial step towards changing the narrative around violence against women.
A Call for European Action
The protest at Jean Reyplein aimed to pressure the European Parliament to adopt more stringent policies and funding to combat femicide.
Activists called for uniform definitions and data collection standards across the European Union to better understand and combat the issue.
As the red shoes remained on the square, a powerful reminder of the lives lost, the message was clear: femicide is a crisis that Europe can no longer ignore.
