By Hadiza Abdulkadir
In a landmark decision driven by national outrage over gender-based violence, Italy’s parliament has voted unanimously to establish femicide as a distinct crime punishable by life imprisonment.
The new legislation defines femicide specifically as the murder of a woman because of her gender. The unified move by lawmakers reflects a growing consensus on the urgency of addressing systemic violence against women across the country.
Beyond establishing severe penalties for murder, the legislative package also strengthens existing laws against stalking and “revenge porn,” aiming to broaden protections for victims of abuse.
The vote comes as Italy continues to grapple with high-profile instances of fatal violence against women. The national conversation reached a fever pitch following the brutal 2023 murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend, a case that sparked widespread protests and intensified demands for legal reform.