After Shock Killing Of Pregnant Mother, Thousands Of Romanians Protest Against Gender Violence
In the aftermath of a harrowing murder in Romania, protesters in central Bucharest rallied for a cultural shift on June 3.
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Around 4,000 people gathered in front of Romania’s government headquarters in Bucharest on June 3, days after a murder that shocked the Balkan country.
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Protesters display banners decrying violence against women and lay flowers in memory of Teodora Marcu. The 23-year-old was shot dead, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend Robert Lupu, while walking with her 3-year-old daughter on May 31. Marcu was 26 weeks pregnant at the time.
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A woman holds a sign reading “You won't believe me until I’m dead,” during the Bucharest protest.
Demands from protesters included increased protections for women and girls, recognition of femicide as a legally distinct crime, and mandatory training for police, judges, and others on the issue of gender-based violence.
Demands from protesters included increased protections for women and girls, recognition of femicide as a legally distinct crime, and mandatory training for police, judges, and others on the issue of gender-based violence.
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Children hold signs at the protest.
The shocking May 31 murder of Marcu is the 25th case of a woman being murdered in Romania in just the past five months. Marcu's alleged killer shot himself soon after the murder.
The shocking May 31 murder of Marcu is the 25th case of a woman being murdered in Romania in just the past five months. Marcu's alleged killer shot himself soon after the murder.
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"We came because there has been a lot of frustration,” protest participant Avin Arabo, 32, told RFE/RL. "Too many women are suffering from from domestic violence, we want the institutions to do their jobs and act as they should in every case.”
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"Violence against women is insufficiently punished, tolerated by those who should protect us and then transformed into victim-blaming," organizers of the protest said.
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Bodgan, 32, joined the protest because, he says, “a crime happened that shocked us all. Violence against women is overlooked. It also happens because of a lack of education and because the authorities do nothing."
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An English-language sign at the protest.
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"We are tired of living in a culture of tolerance for violence when it is directed against women from poor backgrounds, Roma or have experiences that do not make them 'worthy' in the eyes of society, to be protected," the protest organizers said.
