Italy’s parliament has added the crime of femicide to its criminal code, with the punishment of life in prison.
Femicide is defined as the deliberate killing of women and girls due to their gender. The bill was introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The law was supported by Meloni’s right-wing government and opposition parties.
The latest data indicates Italy recorded 106 femicides last year, with 62 of these killings committed by a woman’s former or current partner.
There has been heightened attention on violence against women in Italy in recent years, particularly since the murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin in 2023 by her ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta. He was sentenced to life in jail in December 2024.
At the time of Giulia’s murder, her sister Elena made headlines when she said Turetta was not a “monster” but “the healthy son of a patriarchal society”.
“We have doubled funding for anti-violence centers and shelters, promoted an emergency hotline and implemented innovative education and awareness-raising activities,” Meloni said Tuesday.
“These are concrete steps forward, but we won’t stop here. We must continue to do much more, every day.”
Italy is now one of very few countries in the world that classifies femicide as a distinct crime, with a set punishment.
While the legislation was supported by the opposition, some politicians and advocates have called for a greater focus on prevention and education. Italy remains one of few countries in the European Union without mandatory sex education in its school system.
In 2024, around 50,000 women and girls globally were killed by their intimate partners or other family members, according to UN Women.
Here in Australia, violence against women is a continuing and escalating crisis. According to Sherele Moody’s Femicide Watch, 62 women have been killed in Australia so far this year.
As Director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance Katherine Berney wrote this week, Australia knows how to end violence against women. What we lack is the will to pay for it.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.
If you need help and advice call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732, Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.