The Italian Parliament has officially approved a landmark law that classifies femicide as a specific criminal offense punishable by life imprisonment. The vote took place on Tuesday, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The bill received strong cross-party support, passing in the Lower House with 237 votes in favor, backed by both the center-right majority and the center-left opposition.
A Response to Rising Violence Against Women
The new legislation was endorsed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and comes in direct response to a series of shocking murders and gender-based violence cases across Italy. The law introduces stricter penalties for gender-motivated crimes, including stalking and revenge pornography.
High-profile cases—such as the tragic murder of student Giulia Cecchettin in 2023—have played a key role in fueling nationwide protests and intensifying public debate over the root causes of violence against women.
Opposition: “Law Alone Is Not Enough”
While the opposition supported the bill, it criticized the government’s approach, arguing that it focuses only on the criminal dimension while failing to address deeper cultural and economic factors that contribute to gender-based violence.
According to ISTAT, Italy’s national statistics agency, 106 femicides were recorded in 2024, with 62 committed by current or former partners.
Debate Over Education Measures Intensifies
A parallel debate is growing over the introduction of sexual and emotional education in schools as a preventative measure. A government-proposed law seeks to ban such education at the primary level and requires explicit parental consent for high school students.
The ruling coalition defends the measure as a way to protect children from ideological influence, while opposition parties and activists have denounced it as “medieval” and counterproductive.
