Italy adds ‘femicide’ to the criminal code to curb violence against women

The Italian parliament has officially included the term “femicide,” which is intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, in its penal code. It is punishable by life in prison.

According to Italian public broadcaster RAI, the bill was unanimously approved on Tuesday, demonstrating what Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called a sign of “political cohesion against the barbaric nature of violence against women.”

Since its inception, Meloni’s government has supported the bill, as have other anti-stalking laws. A bill that prohibits sexual activity without “free and actual consent” is also being debated by the legislature.

According to The Associated Press news agency, we have increased funding for antiviolence centers and shelters, promoted an emergency hotline, and carried out innovative education and awareness-raising initiatives, Meloni said. We won’t stop at this, though, because these are concrete steps forward. Every day, we must do much more.

The vote also coincided with the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

According to AP, Italy reported 106 femicides last year, 62 of which were committed by a partner or former partner, citing the statistics agency in Italy.

According to UN Women, nearly two-thirds of female homicides were committed by a partner or family member, which is in line with global trends.

Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old university student, was stabbed by her boyfriend in November 2023, raising the alarm over the persistent problem of violence against women in Italy. He was later given a life-long prison term.

Non Una di Meno and Non One Less, two rights movements in Italy, claim Meloni’s government is too focused on bringing about punishments rather than preventing violence.

Italy’s public school systems are among the few in the EU where sexual education is not required, and many programs call for parental approval.