Romania's Femicide Crisis: Murder of Pregnant Reality Star Sparks Nationwide Protests
Romania is grappling with a national crisis following the murder of Teodora Marcu, a 23-year-old pregnant mother and reality TV star. Her killing by ex-partner Robert Lupu on 31 May 2025 has sparked widespread protests, challenging the country's democratic principles and its tolerance of femicide.
Marcu's murder was not an isolated incident. Romania has seen a shocking average of 14 cases of domestic violence every hour in the first four months of 2025. Since 2016, 426 women have lost their lives at the hands of family members, with 26 femicides occurring in the first half of this year alone. The state's failure to protect women is evident in Marcu's case, despite her having made multiple complaints to the police and being under protective orders.
The protests have highlighted Romania's poor record on gender equality. In the 2024 Gender Equality Index, Romania ranked lowest among EU member states, with women constituting barely 20% of parliament and holding virtually no decision-making power. The Social Democratic Party of Romania (PSD) has historically not had a woman at its leadership, reflecting the country's structural exclusions that marginalize women. Performative inclusion has been mastered, with women appointed to visible but powerless positions.
The presence and operations of Andrew Tate in Romania until his arrest are indicative of the country's permissive attitude toward misogyny. Social media has also become a weapon of mass psychological destruction against women, with 66% of girls feeling judged for their appearance. Misogynistic remarks and threats from politicians like George Simion of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) reflect the misogynistic structures that span Romania's political spectrum.
Teodora Marcu's murder has exposed deep-seated issues in Romanian society and politics. It is a stark reminder of the state's failure to protect women and the country's low ranking in gender equality. The protests and international outrage have put pressure on Romania to address these issues and ensure that women are truly considered full political subjects.
