“Dying to Divorce” - Documentary Screening & Discussion
On 14 June 2026, the JuDem project organized a screening of the award-winning documentary Dying to Divorce at aquarium (Kreuzberg), followed by a panel discussion on gender-based violence, feminist activism, and the challenges facing democracy and the rule of law in Turkey.
The event brought together legal practitioners, researchers, and members of the public to reflect on gender-based violence, feminist activism, and challenges to democratic freedoms in Turkey.
Speakers
Zarah Baur (Lawyer)
İpek Bozkurt (Lawyer, We Will Stop Femicide Platform)
Dr. Anke Clodius (Judge at the Higher Regional Court of Celle)
Moderator
Gülçin Balamir Coşkun (Humboldt University of Berlin)
Following the screening, the panelists discussed the legal, social, and political dimensions of combating gender-based violence, as well as the role of feminist advocacy and judicial institutions in addressing femicide and impunity. The discussion continued informally over snacks and drinks, providing participants with an opportunity for further exchange.
About The Film
Filmed over five years, Dying to Divorce explores Turkey’s gender-based violence crisis and the broader political developments that have affected democratic freedoms. Through the stories of survivors and activists, the documentary highlights the challenges faced by women seeking justice and autonomy in contemporary Turkey.
The film follows lawyer İpek Bozkurt and a network of activists as they support survivors of severe violence and work to hold perpetrators accountable despite significant legal and political obstacles. It also examines the increasingly restrictive environment faced by lawyers, journalists, and civil society actors following the political developments after 2016.
The screening and discussion provided an opportunity to engage critically with questions of gender justice, rule of law, and democratic resilience in Turkey.
