Italy has approved a landmark law that formally defines femicide as a criminal offense and allows courts to impose life imprisonment, marking one of the country’s strongest legislative responses to gender-based violence in decades.
The measure passed in the Lower Chamber on Tuesday with 237 votes in favor, drawing support from both the governing right-wing coalition and opposition parties. The vote coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on November 25 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.
The legislation follows a series of high-profile cases that prompted widespread public anger and renewed scrutiny of gender-based violence in a country where cultural and legal reforms have been debated for years. While the government has framed the law as a decisive step, critics argue that enforcement and prevention remain unresolved challenges.
A Rare Moment of Cross-Party Consensus
The bill was backed by the conservative government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and advanced through parliament with unusual cross-party unity. Lawmakers from both the center-right majority and the center-left opposition supported the final version, describing it as a necessary response to the rise in reported violence against women.
Under the new legislation, femicide is legally recognized as the killing of a woman because of her gender, aligning Italy with several Latin American and European jurisdictions that have adopted similar definitions. Courts will be able to impose life sentences in cases of aggravated murder involving domestic partners or former partners, as well as in crimes motivated by gender-based hostility.
The law also expands penalties for related offenses, including stalking and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, commonly known as revenge porn. These provisions reflect legal trends across Europe, where governments have strengthened digital-abuse laws in response to increased reporting and online harassment.
Public Outcry After High-Profile Killing
The legislative push accelerated after the 2023 murder of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin, whose killing by a former boyfriend triggered nationwide protests and extensive media coverage. Thousands marched in Italian cities calling for systemic reform and greater support for women facing domestic abuse.
Advocacy groups have long argued that cultural factors—including deeply rooted gender stereotypes—contribute to underreporting and insufficient protection. Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (Istat) recorded 106 femicides in 2024, with 62 committed by partners or former partners, reinforcing concerns about patterns of intimate-partner violence.
In a statement on Tuesday, Meloni said the government had “doubled funding for anti-violence centers and shelters” and expanded an emergency assistance hotline. She added that awareness campaigns and educational initiatives were underway, calling the law “a concrete step forward.”
However, opposition parties said the reforms remained incomplete. Lawmakers from the center-left stressed that criminal penalties alone would not address the economic and social vulnerabilities that often prevent women from leaving abusive situations.
Prevention Debate Intensifies
The discussion around prevention has become one of the most divisive elements of Italy’s policy response. A government-backed proposal would prohibit sexual and emotional education in elementary schools and require explicit parental consent for related instruction in secondary schools.
Supporters argue the measure protects children from what they describe as ideological influence. Critics—including educators, psychologists, and women’s rights organizations—have condemned the proposal as regressive, warning that limiting classroom education could increase misinformation and weaken early-intervention efforts.
Elly Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party, called the bill “medieval,” noting that Italy is one of only seven European countries where sex and relationship education is not mandatory. “Repression is not enough without prevention, which can only start in schools,” she said.
Across Europe, several governments have linked prevention strategies to school-based programs. The Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention—which Italy ratified in 2013—encourages signatory states to integrate gender-equality education, support services, and coordinated law-enforcement responses. While Italy has expanded police protocols and emergency protections in recent years, watchdog groups report gaps in implementation and geographical disparities in service availability.
Broader Regional and Global Context
Gender-based violence remains a significant concern across Europe. Eurostat data shows that more than half of female homicide victims in the European Union are killed by partners or family members, compared with a far lower proportion among male victims. Several countries—including Spain, France, and Portugal—have introduced national strategies focused on prevention, shelters, and judicial reform.
Italy has faced particular criticism from rights organizations for slow legal proceedings and inconsistent enforcement of restraining orders. Advocacy groups say delays can leave women exposed to continued threats even after reporting abuse.
The Italian government has responded by increasing police supervision for high-risk cases and expanding rapid-response protocols. Authorities have also introduced electronic monitoring for offenders under restraining orders, though its use varies by region.
Next Steps and Ongoing Challenges
Despite broad political support for the new law, experts say its impact will depend on implementation. Legal scholars note that adding femicide to the criminal code strengthens sentencing but does not automatically change investigative practices, which often determine how cases are classified and prosecuted.
Shelter networks have welcomed increased funding but warn that demand continues to outpace capacity, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. Many organizations also emphasize the need for long-term housing and employment support, noting that financial dependence remains one of the strongest barriers for victims seeking to leave abusive partners.
Advocates say sustained public investment, education, and cultural change are essential. Without them, they argue, harsher penalties may serve as a symbolic milestone rather than a structural turning point.
For now, the government has signaled that further measures may follow. “We won’t stop here,” Meloni said. “We must continue to do much more, every day.”
Source: CNN – Italy now recognizes the crime of femicide and punishes it with life in prison
