Homicides against women: Over the past ten years, 235 women in NRW lost their lives due to their gender - Gender-Based Homicides: 235 Women Lost Lives in NRW over a Decade
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous state, relationship-related femicides continue to be a significant concern. According to the latest available data up to mid-2025, around 20-30 women are killed each year due to partner or ex-partner violence.
Statistics on Femicides
Femicides, defined as the killing of women because of their gender, often occur within intimate or former intimate partner relationships. In NRW, these cases represent a significant portion of gender-based violence cases. The exact annual number can fluctuate, but recent figures from official state crime reports and independent monitoring bodies suggest that around 20-30 women are killed due to partner or ex-partner violence each year in NRW.
Relationship-related femicides typically constitute more than half of all femicides in the region, consistent with national German and European trends.
Trends
There has been a slight increase in public awareness and media reporting on femicides, leading to better data collection and more precise statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic period saw a rise in domestic violence cases globally, including NRW, which could have temporarily impacted femicide numbers or reporting. NRW authorities have also focused on early intervention strategies and protective measures for women at risk.
Role of Patriarchal Views in These Cases
Many experts highlight that patriarchal societal structures and gender norms underpin the risk factors for femicide. Traditional views of male dominance and control over women contribute to intimate partner violence escalating into lethal violence. Control, jealousy, and "ownership" over women are often motivations in relationship-related femicides.
Patriarchal attitudes can manifest in minimizing or justifying violence against women, both at community and institutional levels. Survivors often face challenges in seeking help due to stigmatization or disbelief influenced by these views.
Prevention Efforts
The NRW government and NGOs focus on addressing patriarchal attitudes through education, awareness campaigns, and promoting gender equality. Training for law enforcement and social services aims to better recognize the signs of control-based violence rooted in patriarchal dynamics. Programs seek to empower women and challenge toxic masculinity as preventive measures.
Summary
Relationship-related femicides remain a serious issue in NRW with around 20-30 victims annually. These killings are deeply connected to patriarchal notions of control and male dominance. There is growing recognition of the need to address underlying societal attitudes to effectively reduce femicides. Prevention strategies increasingly incorporate gender-sensitive approaches and aim to transform harmful patriarchal norms.
For the most precise and up-to-date data, consulting recent annual crime reports from the NRW Ministry of the Interior or relevant feminist research institutes in Germany would be recommended. Support for affected women in NRW should be readily available and widespread. It is essential to continue awareness-raising and efforts to combat violence against women in all aspects of society.
- In light of the rising concern about femicides in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), there is a growing emphasis on the need to address underlying societal attitudes that perpetuate these crimes, particularly patriarchal views and gender norms.
- To prevent relationship-related femicides, the NRW government and NGOs are focusing on education, awareness campaigns, and promoting gender equality. This includes training for law enforcement and social services to better recognize the signs of control-based violence and empower women.
- In an effort to combat violence against women in NRW, it's crucial to consult recent annual crime reports from the NRW Ministry of the Interior or feminist research institutes in Germany for the most precise data. Simultaneously, widespread support for affected women should be made available to continue awareness-raising and combat violence against women across all aspects of society. Additionally, efforts related to employment policy, science, health-and-wellness, sexual-health, women's health, general news, and crime-and-justice should all contribute to creating a safer environment for women in the community.
