In a historic and unanimous decision, Italian lawmakers have approved a new law that defines femicide — the murder of a woman motivated by her gender — as a standalone crime, carrying a mandatory life sentence. The vote, delivered by all 237 deputies in the lower house of parliament, came on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, underscoring the symbolic weight of the move in a country grappling with repeated femicide cases and pervasive gender inequality.
Although the idea of introducing a specific law on femicide had circulated for years, nationwide outrage following the 2023 murder of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin pushed the issue to the forefront. The young woman was stabbed by her former boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, who then concealed her body near a lakeside. The brutality of the killing shook Italy, but it was the uncompromising words of Giulia’s sister, Elena — who blamed patriarchal conditioning rather than monstrosity — that galvanized widespread demand for systemic change. Massive protests and public reflection on gender-based violence compelled lawmakers to act.
The new law, introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and supported across the political spectrum, places Italy among a small group of EU nations — including Croatia, Malta, and Cyprus — that explicitly categorize femicide in their criminal codes. Many MPs wore red jackets or ribbons during the parliamentary session in tribute to victims of violence.
Under the legislation, murders committed “out of hatred, domination, discrimination, or control of a woman as a woman,” including killings tied to a breakup or attempts to restrict personal freedom, will be legally defined as femicide. Such crimes will now be recorded separately, studied in detail, and punished with an automatic life sentence, with the goal of providing both clarity and deterrence.
Judge Paola di Nicola, a key contributor to the law, said the measure aims to expose the underlying motivations behind these killings, rejecting euphemisms that frame such violence as crimes of passion or jealousy. An expert panel she served on reviewed 211 cases to identify patterns of hierarchy, power, and coercion behind these acts. She described the law as a long-overdue acknowledgment that Italian society must confront its patriarchal roots.
Italy recorded 116 murders of women last year, with 106 believed to be gender-motivated. But while the new law signals moral and political commitment, some families of victims argue that legislation alone cannot reverse entrenched societal attitudes. Giulia’s father, Gino Cecchettin, who has since established a foundation in her name, believes education and cultural change are essential. He now travels to schools across Italy, urging young men to unlearn stereotypes and harmful expectations associated with masculinity. He warns that legal reforms mean little without emotional and sexual education that helps teenagers navigate relationships responsibly — a proposal that has faced resistance from far-right lawmakers.
Critics of the new law argue that existing legal provisions already punish such crimes adequately and warn that the new definition may be vague or difficult to enforce. Law professor Valeria Torre contends that determining gender-based motivation will be complex, particularly as most women are killed by partners or ex-partners, where multiple motives may intersect. Others say the government should prioritize expanding social and economic measures to address inequality, pointing to Italy’s low placement on global gender parity rankings and persistent gaps in employment, representation, and support services.
Activists insist that the law must be accompanied by broader reforms. At Rome’s new Museum of the Patriarchy — a temporary exhibition highlighting systemic sexism — campaigners emphasize that femicide sits at the top of a pyramid of discrimination. Eradicating it, they argue, requires dismantling the cultural foundations that normalize everyday misogyny.
Despite the divides, Tuesday’s unanimous vote was met with applause in parliament, marking a rare moment of unity on an issue that cuts across political lines. Supporters say the law represents a turning point — not only in how Italy prosecutes femicide, but in how the nation understands the deep-rooted gender inequalities driving such violence. Judge di Nicola believes the significance of the law lies in forcing Italy to finally acknowledge the structural nature of violence against women, declaring it a crucial first step in a much longer process of cultural transformation.
