Italy Takes Bold Step Against Gender-Based Violence with New Femicide Law

Wed Nov 26 2025 18:19:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a landmark decision, Italy's parliament has voted unanimously to recognize femicide as a distinct crime, aiming to combat gender-based violence in society. The law was passed on a day dedicated to eradicating violence against women worldwide.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Italian parliament made a significant move by unanimously approving a law that defines femicide as a distinct crime. This new legislation, motivated by recent tragedies such as the murder of Giulia Cecchettin, seeks to impose life sentences for offenders and acknowledges the patriarchal roots of such violence. The law will categorize murders of women driven by gender discrimination, allowing for better data collection and preventive measures.

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 2022, 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 categorize 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 today 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.

This law means we will be the first in Europe to reveal the real motivation of the perpetrators, which is hierarchy and power.

Italy's law will apply to murders which are an act of hatred, discrimination, domination, control, or subjugation of a woman as a woman, or that occur when she breaks off a relationship or to limit her individual freedoms..

The latest police data in Italy shows a slight fall in the number of women killed last year to 116, with 106 said to be motivated by gender. In future, such cases would be recorded separately and trigger an automatic life sentence, meant as a deterrent.

Gino Cecchettin isn't sure such a law would have saved his daughter: her killer was sent to prison for life in any case.

Mr Cecchettin now tours Italian schools and universities to talk to young people about Giulia and about respect.

If we give them the right tools to handle their life they will not act as Filippo, they will probably act in a different manner.

Italy currently ranks 85th in the Global Gender Gap Index, almost the lowest of all EU states, with just over half all women in employment, to name just one issue. This law represents an important step in addressing gender violence and inequality in society.

The law was greeted with a burst of applause by all 237 deputies after a long and passionate debate, signaling a political will to tackle these deep-rooted issues.

This shows that on the fight against violence against women, our country has a common political will, Judge Paola di Nicola argues, whilst accepting there's a long way still to go.