Rows of red shoes lined the steps of the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest on April 1, 2026, serving as a powerful memorial to women killed by domestic violence.
Activists in Bucharest staged a striking symbolic protest by placing rows of red shoes on the steps of the Romanian Athenaeum, a prominent concert hall in the capital. The installation honoured women who have lost their lives to domestic violence and aimed to highlight the country’s growing femicide crisis.
Official figures and recent estimates cited during the protest indicate that an average of one woman has been killed every week in Romania due to domestic violence since the beginning of 2026. Organisers described the numbers as deeply worrying, noting that the home is no longer always a safe place for many women.
One of the protest organisers, Alessandra Stoicescu, emphasised the urgent need for change. She stated that the demonstration was not only about remembrance but also a strong call for immediate action, including stronger laws and better protection mechanisms for victims of gender-based violence.
