Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Focus Salon 2025 in Berlin: Politics, Media, and Civil Society Call for Stronger Action Against Femicide and Violence Against Women

United against violence toward women: The Focus Salon 2025 places the issue of femicide at the center of an urgent public debate. Once again, the Focus Magazine and the initiative #DieNächste invited guests in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The evening focused on a topic that both shocks and compels action: the gender-based killing of women.

The event brought together leading representatives from politics, expert communities, and the public. Among the speakers were Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt, Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Karin Prien, as well as Anette Kramme, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Justice. In addition, the founders of #DieNächste – Sarah Bora, Iris Brand, and Anna Sophie Herken – shared their experiences and political demands.

The exclusive group of 50 invited guests included high-profile figures such as mental health speaker Fatma Kaya, One Billion Rising board member Romy Stangl, BIG e.V. Managing Director Dr. Doris Felbinger, my protectify founder Sogol Kordi, lawyer Müşerref Tanrıverdi, and Berlin Police Chief Dr. Barbara Slowik Meisel.

In advance of the event, Federal Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized the need for decisive political action: “It is about protection instead of silence.” He called for stricter penalties for the use of date-rape drugs, investments in safe spaces, and the advancement of a covert app that enables survivors to securely document violence for use in court.

A societal crisis that can no longer be ignored

The situation in Germany is alarming: every third day, a woman is killed by her current or former partner. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, 859 women and girls became victims of attempted or completed homicide in 2024, 308 of them fatally. Yet Germany still lacks legal recognition of femicide as a distinct criminal offense. The initiative #DieNächste therefore advocates for a reform of the criminal code to clearly define and prosecute gender-based killings.

Focus Editors-in-Chief Franziska Reich and Georg Meck stressed the responsibility of journalism: “We cannot look away. Violence against women is one of the most severe social distortions of our time.” The role of the press is to expose injustices and foster public debate.

Journalistic responsibility in service of society

The Focus Salon reinforces the magazine’s commitment to contributing to public discourse. According to Reich and Meck, courageous voices like those of the #DieNächste founders are essential for breaking the silence and increasing pressure for reform.

The event is accompanied by comprehensive reporting across all Focus platforms – in the magazine (issue 49/2025), on Focus+, and on social media. Coverage includes statistical data, personal survivor stories, and concrete proposals for political and societal action.

About the Focus Salon

Established in 2024, the Focus Salon is dedicated to significant societal issues and provides a platform for dialogue among influential figures from politics, business, science, and culture. This year’s salon once again sends a clear message: looking away is not an option.