Italy’s government approved a draft law on Friday to classify femicide as a separate crime, rather than a sub-category of homicide.
Under current laws, a woman’s murder is only considered aggravated if the killer was married or related to the victim. The new draft law, passed by the cabinet ahead of International Women’s Day, defines femicide as an act of discrimination or hate against a woman simply because of her gender.
The law aims to acknowledge the “asymmetry of power between men and women,” Families Minister Eugenia Roccella said after the cabinet meeting.
Premier Giorgia Meloni hailed the bill as a significant step in protecting women from violence. “Today the government is taking another step forward in the systemic action it has carried out since taking office to combat violence against women and protect victims,” she said.
“The Council of Ministers has passed an extremely significant bill, which introduces the crime of femicide as an autonomous crime, punishable by life imprisonment. It also provides for aggravating circumstances and increased sentences for personal mistreatment, stalking, sexual violence, and revenge porn,” Meloni added.
“These are crucial measures that we strongly wanted to strengthen the fight against this intolerable scourge,” she said, thanking the ministers involved in the bill’s development.
Opposition parties say it’s not enough
However, opposition parties argued that the government was failing to address the root causes of femicide.
“Once again, the government focuses on criminal measures after violence and femicides occur, ignoring the importance of prevention through education,” said the centre-left Democratic Party.
The interior ministry recorded 113 femicides in 2024, with 99 committed by relatives or partners. Of these, a partner or former partner carried out 61.
In December, 22-year-old student Filippo Turetta received a life sentence for stabbing his former girlfriend, Giulia Cecchettin, to death. Her November 2023 murder shocked Italy and reignited the national debate on violence against women.
