We created a special edition print in which we piled all the articles of suspected female deaths previoulsy published in Birgün Newspaper on March 8th International Women’s Day.

Then we created the installation using only this print without the need of any other material.

When the visuals of the installation went viral on social media, people took their own Birgün newspaper and used our print ad as ready-made protest banners for the Women’s Day marches.

The print created an installation and a protest banner at the same time.

The increase in domestic violence and femicide rates in Turkey reached extreme levels. Women were brutally murdered, and the truth behind these deaths was often swiftly covered up by authorities or inadequately investigated. Suspicions were left unresolved, and perpetrators went unpunished. Additionally, in Turkey, it was common practice to conceal discovered dead bodies with newspapers.

To draw attention to these brutal femicides, the theme of "covering up the truth" emerged as a focal point. An installation featuring a mannequin on March 8th, covered entirely with newspapers only with a striking headline highlighting this issue, contributed to the project's viral impact.

Over the past few years, domestic violence and femicide rates increased dramatically in Turkey. As femicides continued to rise, Turkey made the decision to withdraw from the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention, while also contemplating the possibility of repealing statute 6284, a law aimed at preventing domestic violence against women. Furthermore, a majority of femicide cases have been surrounded by suspicions regarding the deaths. In 2023 alone, there were a total of 248 suspicious female deaths.

International Women's Day was commemorated with marches and protests addressing women’s injusices, including these deaths. Women were advocating for justice in any way possible, yet they were often silenced, and the public normalized the deaths.

BirGün Newspaper took on the mission of supporting human rights and the women's struggle in Turkey. As BirGün Newspaper, it was essential to raise awareness about suspicious female death cases and serve as the voice of the public.

The installation swiftly entered Turkey’s agenda and gained viral attention. It was shared on social media by thousands of people. However, due to its significant attention and its poignant portrayal of these deaths, law enforcement authorities promptly removed it. The news of the installation was featured in BirGün Newspaper the following day and distributed to newsstands. The special edition was subsequently highlighted in news programs and utilized as a banner during international women’s day marches, becoming a symbol of them, which were once again halted by brutal police intervention. The measurable results are as follows: 2 million reach on Instagram, 5 million media reach, 3 million clicks, and a reach of 10 million views.

BirGün wasn't an organization that viewed news as a commodity to be marketed, but rather a newspaper that believed in public values as an independent entity. Its mission was to give voice to the voiceless and bring to light the truths that were kept hidden. In an environment where democracy and consequently pluralism were dwindling, shedding light on what was hidden became a duty.

Bringing attention to the covered-up femicides and uncovering the question marks was not just a matter of news value for the newspaper, but rather a necessity to fulfill its obligation to the public.