Italy has moved to classify femicide as a standalone crime, introducing a life sentence for killings of women and girls carried out because of their gender. Lawmakers endorsed the change in a unanimous vote, giving the measure rare cross-party backing.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the outcome, describing it as a collective step toward confronting persistent violence against women. Her government had supported the legislation from its early stages and has advanced related initiatives, including stronger anti-stalking provisions and expanded services for victims. Parliament is separately reviewing a proposal that would establish “free and actual consent” as the benchmark for lawful sexual relations.
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The vote coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
National data show that violence remains entrenched. Italy recorded 106 femicides in 2023, with most cases committed by a partner or former partner, according to figures cited by the national statistics agency. UN Women reports similar global patterns, with domestic partners accounting for a substantial share of female homicides worldwide.
Public debate in Italy sharpened last year following the killing of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin. Her death, and the subsequent life sentence handed to her boyfriend, prompted renewed demands for systemic reforms and placed pressure on political leaders to respond.
While the new law has been broadly welcomed, advocacy groups argue that legal penalties alone will not curb the problem. The movement Non Una di Meno said the government’s approach remains weighted toward punishment rather than prevention, pointing to the absence of mandatory sexual education in public schools and the reliance on parental consent for many existing programs. The group also called for broader attention to women’s economic security, which it considers central to long-term protection.
Meloni has said her administration will continue expanding shelters, emergency support lines and awareness campaigns, describing them as part of a wider effort that requires sustained attention.