Italy has joined a small group of European Union countries that recognize femicide as a distinct criminal offense, punishable by life imprisonment. The new legislation reflects a significant step toward addressing gender-based violence, sparked by national outrage following the 2023 murder of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchetti.
A new article in the Italian Penal Code defines femicide as the intentional killing of a woman due to discrimination, hatred, or attempts to control her, including cases of domestic violence, rejection of a relationship, or conflicts involving children. Lawmakers emphasized that many of these crimes reflect ongoing patterns of possessiveness and gender-based control.
The law was passed overwhelmingly, with 237 votes in favor and none against, demonstrating unprecedented cross-party agreement on a critical issue, despite Italy’s often divided political landscape. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the law as evidence of national resolve against gender-based violence, while opposition leader Elly Schlein praised the bipartisan cooperation as a rare but crucial signal of commitment to women’s safety.
Despite the legislation, experts caution that its preventive impact remains uncertain, noting that legal reform alone cannot eradicate deep-rooted cultural and societal patterns of violence against women. Current statistics underscore the urgency: between January and October 2025, 85 women were victims of intentional homicide, slightly down from 102 in the same period in 2024, yet women now constitute over a third of all homicide victims—the highest share on record in Italy.
Italy joins Cyprus, Malta, and Croatia in recognizing femicide as a separate crime, while most EU countries continue to treat gender-motivated killings under broader homicide or domestic violence statutes. Advocates argue that this distinction is essential for highlighting the gendered nature of the crime and for ensuring accountability.
The law also addresses killings that occur after the end of a relationship, particularly those involving children, highlighting a recurring pattern of “possessive violence” that disproportionately affects women.
This legislative milestone in Italy is being observed closely across Europe, signaling growing recognition of femicide as a systemic problem requiring specific legal frameworks, societal awareness, and robust enforcement.
