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The Groß-Gerau district is taking a stand against femicide on November 25th and providing information about silent signs of help.
As the Groß-Gerau district reports, the Office for Women and Equal Opportunities, together with several cooperation partners, organized a day of action on November 25th for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Under the title "A Shoe Print – A Femicide," symbolic markers for murdered women and girls were placed in the Groß-Gerau market square.
Femicide as the most extreme form of gender-based violence
The most extreme form of gender-based violence is femicide: the killing of women and girls because of their gender or because they have violated traditional behavioral and role expectations. Often, the murder is committed by a (former) partner or family members. Behind such acts lie patriarchal power structures that manifest themselves in possessiveness, control, or dominance.
Every year in Germany, up to 1,000 women and girls fall victim to attempted or completed homicides, the perpetrators of which are predominantly male. The man is almost always from the victim's private and social circle.
According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), 859 girls and women were victims of attempted or completed homicides in 2024, 328 of which were completed. This means there was almost a femicide every day in Germany. 65 femicides were attributed to domestic violence and 133 to intimate partner violence. In the Groß-Gerau district alone, there were three completed or attempted femicides by (ex-)partners last year – in Mörfelden-Walldorf, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, and Rüsselsheim.
Shoe prints as a memorial – Day of action in the marketplace
Around the world, the International Day for the Remembrance of Victims of Femicide is observed to remember the victims and raise awareness of the ongoing violence. To make femicides visible, the Office for Women and Equal Opportunities of the Groß-Gerau district, in cooperation with Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. (Women Helping Women), the women's and equal opportunities officers of the city of Groß-Gerau, and the victim protection coordinator of the Groß-Gerau police department, organized an event on the market square on November 25th.
Inspired by “Red Shoes Against Femicide” and the UN campaign “Orange the World”, bright orange and red shoe prints were sprayed on the ground for each femicide of the year 2024.
The silent help signal: Simple, effective – and often lifesaving.
The day of action should not only serve as a reminder, but also provide information about available support services. A key element is the silent signal for help – a gesture with which those affected can discreetly draw attention to themselves.
This is how the symbol works:
- Open palm facing outwards
- Place your thumb in the palm of your hand
- Close finger over thumb
This movement signals: I need help.
What to do when you see the sign:
- Stay calm and assess the situation.
- Discreetly inquire whether help is needed.
- In case of immediate danger: notify the police via 110 and describe the situation precisely.
Especially in cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment, or acute threats, this symbol can be crucial. Its simple application makes it an important element of civic courage in action.
Commitment against violence – actors send a clear message
Representatives from the district administration, police, city of Groß-Gerau, and the women's aid organization "Frauen helfen Frauen e.V." provided information about support services in the marketplace. The colored footprints displayed in the marketplace also highlighted the high number of women and girls killed.
(Gross-Gerau-Red/PSGG)
Featured images: Patrick Sebischka, Melanie Arnold, Yvonne Ederberg, First County Councillor Adil Oyan, Kerstin Kalweit, Kassandra Waldhoff, Simone Anthes, Mara Häneke, and Judith Kolbe stood for a clear "no" to violence. Adil Oyan, Kerstin Kalweit, and Kassandra Waldhoff displayed the silent sign for help. Photo: County Administration
