Romania's Femicide Crisis Explodes After Pregnant TV Star's Murder
Romania is grappling with a grim reality. On 31 May 2025, Teodora Marcu, a 23-year-old pregnant mother and reality TV star, was shot dead by her ex-partner, Robert Lupu. The murder, witnessed by her three-year-old daughter and other children, has sparked outrage and protests. Thousands have united under the slogan 'Niciuna înfrântă, niciuna uitată, niciuna mai putin' (None defeated, none forgotten, none less important).
Teodora's murder was not an isolated incident. It was the 26th femicide case in Romania this year alone. In the last eight years, a shocking 426 women have been killed by family members, averaging more than one every week. The country's democratic institutions and political culture have normalized femicide, failing to truly imagine women as full political subjects.
Misogyny has seeped into Romania's political culture. Figures like George Simion and Andrew Tate have influenced politics, normalizing violence against women. Romanian politics has mastered performative inclusion, appointing women to visible but powerless positions while maintaining male-dominated networks. This has contributed to a political environment where femicide is tolerated.
The murder of Teodora Marcu, despite her being under protective orders after multiple complaints to the police, reflects systemic failures in addressing gender-based violence. Romania's Gender Equality Index ranking reflects this, with the country lowest in the EU for gender equality in 2024.
The murder of Teodora Marcu has sparked protests and calls for change. Romania's political culture must evolve to truly protect and empower women. This means addressing misogyny in politics, strengthening legal protections, and ensuring equal access to justice. It's time for Romania to take meaningful action to end femicide and achieve genuine gender equality.
