Italy passes unanimous vote to classify femicide as a distinct crime

Italy’s parliament has unanimously approved a landmark law that will recognise femicide, the gender motivated killing of women, as a separate criminal offence punishable by a life sentence. The vote came on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, underscoring its symbolic and political significance.

Although the idea of defining femicide in law had been discussed before, the push gained urgency after the 2023 killing of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin. She was murdered by her former boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, who stabbed her and later abandoned her body near a lake. The case shocked the nation and triggered widespread protests, but it was the words of Giulia’s sister, Elena, that resonated deeply across Italy. She argued that her sister’s killer was not simply a monstrous exception but a product of a deeply rooted patriarchal culture. Her comments led to nationwide demonstrations demanding systemic change.

Two years later, Italian lawmakers have responded with what many are calling a historic step. The new law, introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and supported by both government and opposition parties, categorises femicide as a crime separate from homicide. During the vote, numerous MPs wore red ribbons or red clothing in honour of victims of gender based violence.

The legislation requires that every killing of a woman motivated by gender based hostility, control, subjugation, discrimination, or domination must be officially recorded as femicide. This includes cases where a woman is murdered after ending a relationship or when attempts are made to restrict her personal freedom. Judge Paola di Nicola, one of the legal experts behind the bill, said the move ensures such crimes “will be classified, they will be studied in their real context, they will exist”. She noted that her commission examined 211 cases to identify patterns, concluding that these crimes are rarely acts of passion but instead rooted in power and hierarchy.

Italy now joins Cyprus, Malta, and Croatia as the few EU member states with a specific legal definition of femicide. Worldwide, the lack of a standard definition has made it difficult to track and compare cases. Under the new law, femicides in Italy will trigger an automatic life sentence, which lawmakers hope will serve as a deterrent.

Official data shows 116 women were killed in Italy last year, with police saying 106 of those cases appeared to be motivated by gender. Supporters of the law believe the new classification will improve understanding and prevention, while critics question whether legal penalties alone can address the deeper cultural issues.

Giulia’s father, Gino Cecchettin, welcomed the recognition but said education remains the key to meaningful change. After his daughter’s death, he founded a charity in her name aimed at promoting emotional awareness and challenging societal stereotypes. He said he had come to believe that many young men struggle to manage their emotions within a culture that still normalises male dominance.

He noted that even though his daughter’s killer received a life sentence under existing law, defining femicide helps spark a broader conversation. “Now this is a world where we can speak about it,” he said. “That is a step forward.”