Event details at a glance:
- What: Lecture “Femicides – Murders of women in Germany”
- When: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Where: KuBuS, Theobald-Renner-Straße 1A, Jena (Lobeda-West)
- Speaker: Julia Cruschwitz (Journalist & Author)
- Organizers: Rosa-Luxemburg-Club Jena, Frauenzentrum Towanda, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Thüringen
Jena. A topic that often appears only as a side note in police reports will be the focus of an information event in Jena-Lobeda next Wednesday. Under the title “Femicides – Murders of women in Germany,” several local actors invite the public to look at structural violence against women.
A look behind the alarming statistics
The figures are alarming and speak a clear language: According to current statistics, 132 women were killed nationwide by their partners or ex-partners in 2024. This means that, statistically speaking, a woman in Germany loses her life almost every third day due to her gender and entrenched claims of ownership. Attempted killings take place almost daily.
To make these abstract numbers tangible and to understand the mechanisms behind them, the Rosa-Luxemburg-Club Jena, together with the renowned Jenaer Frauenzentrum Towanda and the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Thüringen, has invited journalist Julia Cruschwitz. Cruschwitz has dealt extensively with the topic and is the co-author of the book “Femicides – Murders of women in Germany.”
Structural violence instead of “relationship drama”
At the KuBuS on Theobald-Renner-Straße on Wednesday evening, the focus will not only be on a mere list of cases. A core concern of the lecture is the correct classification of the acts. In public perception and reporting, femicides are often still euphemistically referred to as “marital dramas” or “relationship tragedies.” However, these terms often obscure the true background: claims to power, loss of control, and deeply rooted patriarchal structures.
The lecture is based on numerous interviews the speaker conducted with experts from the police, the judiciary, and social work, as well as with those affected and bereaved. The goal is to raise awareness for warning signs and to highlight the social dimension of the problem. Violence against women is not a private problem that remains behind closed doors, but a challenge for society as a whole.
Important network work in Jena
The fact that the event is being held in cooperation with the Frauenzentrum Towanda underlines the importance of local network work in Jena. The women’s center has been a permanent institution in the Saalestadt for years, offering counseling, education, and meetings for women and advocating politically for equality. The venue, the KuBuS in Lobeda-West, serves as a low-threshold meeting point to reach people beyond the traditional academic audience.
Interested citizens are invited to inform themselves and join the discussion on February 18. The evening is intended to provide space for asking questions and discussing potential solutions together on how to improve the protection of women in our society.
Prevention through Self-Assertion
Beyond the crucial societal discourse and political measures, individual empowerment is also part of a holistic approach. The aim is to regain a sense of personal security and to set boundaries uncompromisingly. Local initiatives such as the WingTsun School Jena (WTplus) address exactly this point: In specialized courses, women learn not only effective self-defense techniques but, more importantly, how to recognize warning signs early on and strengthen their self-confidence against assaults – whether psychological or physical.
Sources:
Original
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.