Italy Passes Landmark Femicide Law to Combat Violence Against Women

Symbolic But Significant Legal Reform

Supporters say the new law will help Italy better identify, track, and address misogynistic violence. The legislation covers murders committed out of hatred, discrimination, domination, control, or when a woman seeks to end a relationship or assert personal freedoms.

The law was adopted on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting its symbolic weight.

Italy now joins Cyprus, Malta, Croatia, and several other European nations in formally recognising femicide.

A Movement Fueled by Tragedy

The push for legal reform gained momentum following the high-profile 2023 killing of 22-year-old student Giulia Cecchettin, whose death sparked nationwide protests. In Parliament, opposition members marked the vote by jangling house keys, a symbol used by activists to honour Cecchettin and protest patriarchal violence.

Her ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, was convicted of her murder in 2024 and is serving a life sentence.

Government’s Stand: “A Strong Social Message”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative coalition led the effort to introduce the femicide statute. Coalition lawmaker Giulia Bongiorno said the legislation sends a clear warning:

“There’s no law that eliminates violence, but this is a strong deterrent and a message of social condemnation.”

Critics Say the Law Alone Is Not Enough

While women’s organisations welcomed the move, many argue that legal recognition does little without broader cultural and institutional reforms.

Activists say Italy continues to struggle with patriarchal norms, inadequate support for survivors, and insufficient training for police and prosecutors dealing with domestic abuse cases.

Some groups, including the national anti-violence network D.i.Re, even withdrew from parliamentary hearings, arguing the bill lacked meaningful financial and structural support.

“It’s a symbolic victory, but laws alone are not enough,” said Laura Onofri Grisetti, president of Se Non Ora Quando in Turin.
“We need education, prevention, and resources — otherwise violence continues from one generation to the next.”

Calls for Broader Social Change

Experts emphasize that reducing femicide requires improving women’s economic independence, closing Italy’s gender wage gap, and integrating gender-respect education into school curricula.

Professor Valeria Torre, from the University of Foggia, warned the law may face legal challenges:

“The definition of femicide is too vague and difficult to prove legally. Criminal law needs clarity — incarceration should be the last tool, not the only one.”

A First Step in a Long Fight

Italy’s new femicide law marks a crucial shift in how the country legally confronts gender-based violence. While celebrated as a long-overdue win, activists stress that true change will require cultural transformation, stronger enforcement, and long-term investment in education and support services.