Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.
In a symbolic move, the bill was approved on the day dedicated to the elimination of violence against women worldwide.
The idea of a law on femicide had been discussed in Italy before but the murder of Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend was a tragedy that shocked the country into action.
In late November 2022, the 22-year-old was stabbed to death by Filippo Turetta, who then wrapped her body in bags and dumped it by a lakeside.
The killing was headline news until he was caught, but it was the powerful response of Giulia's sister, Elena, that has endured. The murderer was not a monster, she said, but the healthy son of a deeply patriarchal society. Their poignant words brought crowds out across Italy demanding change.
Two years on, MPs have voted for a law on femicide after a long and passionately debated session of parliament. It makes Italy one of very few places to categorize femicide as a distinct crime.
Introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the law was backed by her own hard-right government, as well as opposition MPs. Many wore red ribbons or red jackets today to remember the victims of violence.
From now on, Italy will record every murder of a woman that is motivated by her gender as femicide.
Judge Paola di Nicola, one of the authors of the new law, articulated its significance: Femicides will be classified, they will be studied in their real context, they will exist. She and her team examined 211 recent murders of women for common characteristics to draft the femicide law.
The law defines femicide as an act of hatred, discrimination, domination, control, or subjugation of a woman as a woman.
While the move has been celebrated, it also faces scrutiny regarding its feasibility. Critics argue that the law's vagueness may complicate implementation and fear it might not sufficiently address the root causes of gender-based violence. Nonetheless, the conversation initiated by this law could be pivotal for future societal change toward equality.
