Uithoorn hosts powerful exhibition on femicide to raise awareness and save lives
A striking outdoor exhibition in Uithoorn highlights the tragic reality of femicide, where one woman is killed every eight days in the Netherlands. The display aims to educate the public on warning signs of domestic violence and encourage victims to seek help before it’s too late.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibition Name | FEMICIDE |
| Location | Zijdelwaardplein, Uithoorn (Zijdelwaard shopping centre) |
| Duration | March 24 – April 14, 2026 |
| Number of Portraits | 13 women killed by (ex-)partners |
| Femicide Statistics | 1 woman murdered every 8 days in the Netherlands |
| Perpetrator Profile | Nearly 60% of cases involve (ex-)partners or family members |
| Common Trigger | Woman’s decision to leave the relationship |
| Local Support | Neighbourhood post at Zijdelwaard shopping centre; Filomena Amsterdam-Amstelland |
| Organiser | Open mind foundation |
| Municipal Involvement | Alderman José de Robles (Social Care) |
The Municipality of Uithoorn plays a critical role in addressing domestic violence by supporting awareness campaigns like this exhibition. Local governments are responsible for implementing regional safety policies and collaborating with organisations to provide resources and protection for victims.
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Outdoor Exhibition FEMICIDE at Zijdelwaardplein
On Tuesday, March 24, the Open mind foundation installed the outdoor exhibition FEMICIDE at the Zijdelwaard shopping centre in Uithoorn. The travelling exhibition can be seen in our municipality until April 14.
Photo: Alderman De Robles, impressed by the portraits and stories of the FEMICIDE exhibition. (Photo: Municipality of Uithoorn)
Alderman José de Robles (Social Care) walked with Guusje Veenhoven of the Open mind foundation past the life-size portraits of 13 women who were killed by their (ex-)partners. Next to the photos are candid stories told by the survivors. They make the horrifying circumstances surrounding the murders tangible, as well as the lifelong impact on the victims’ families. Guusje says: “In the Netherlands, a woman is murdered every eight days. In nearly 60% of cases, the perpetrator is an (ex-)partner or family member. Almost always because the woman decided to leave the relationship.”
Red flags
Femicide (the murder of women) is the most extreme form of domestic violence. It usually follows mental or physical abuse; think of controlling behaviour, stalking, psychological manipulation and physical or sexual violence. Guusje explains: “There are often clear ‘red flags’, signs that domestic violence is escalating towards a fatal outcome. The exhibition highlights these signals to make people aware of the dangers of intimate terrorism. And of what you can do if you fear femicide is imminent.”
Help available
Alderman De Robles is impressed by the images and stories. “FEMICIDE alerts and informs. It gives a face to victims of fatal (ex-)partner violence. And a voice to their survivors. With this exhibition, we want to warn women to recognise the red flags of a violent relationship. And to seek help in time to escape their situation before abuse ends in murder. Because help is available! For example, at the neighbourhood post here in the Zijdelwaard shopping centre. They can take you in, listen to your story. And they can refer you, for instance, to Filomena Amsterdam-Amstelland. The centre, which opened recently in Amsterdam-West, is specifically intended to help victims of domestic and intimate-partner violence. We are pooling our resources in the municipality and the region to stop partner violence and femicide!”