Italian Parliament Takes Historic Step Against Femicide

Wed Nov 26 2025 21:45:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a unanimous vote, Italy's parliament has classified femicide as a distinct crime, a move likely to change the legal response to gender-based violence in the country.

Italy has become one of the few countries to officially recognize femicide as a distinct legal category, following a unanimous vote by parliament. This law aims to punish those who commit murders motivated by gender with life sentences. The legislation is a response to ongoing violence against women in Italy, highlighted by the tragic murder of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin. While many celebrate the move as a significant step forward, concerns about its implementation and the underlying societal issues persist.

Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.

In a symbolic move, the bill was approved on the day dedicated to the elimination of violence against women worldwide.

The idea of a law on femicide had been discussed in Italy before but the murder of Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend was a tragedy that shocked the country into action.

In late November 2023, the 22-year-old was stabbed to death by Filippo Turetta, who then wrapped her body in bags and dumped it by a lakeside.

The killing was headline news until he was caught, but it was the powerful response of Giulia's sister, Elena, that has endured.

The murderer was not a monster, she said, but the healthy son of a deeply patriarchal society. They were words that brought crowds out across Italy demanding change.

Two years on, MPs have voted for a law on femicide after a long and passionately debated session of parliament. It makes Italy one of very few places to categorise femicide as a distinct crime.

Introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the law was backed by her own hard-right government as well as opposition MPs. Many wore red ribbons or red jackets to remember the victims of violence.

From now on, Italy will record every murder of a woman that is motivated by her gender as femicide.

Femicides will be classified, they will be studied in their real context, they will exist, Judge Paola di Nicola, one of the authors of the new law, said of its significance.

Due to the lack of an agreed worldwide definition of femicide, this new law provides Italy with a structured approach to such crimes, aiming to record and understand the motivations behind them more clearly.

The new classification will help in statistical tracking and may serve as a deterrent against future gender-based violence, though critics are concerned about the vagueness of the law and its practical implications.

In light of the ongoing struggles with gender equality in Italy, proponents believe that more comprehensive measures, including educational reforms, are essential to address the root causes of violence against women.