Italy’s parliament recently passed a landmark law that introduces femicide into the country’s criminal law, punishing it with life imprisonment. The vote took place on the international day for the elimination of violence against women, as designated by the UN General Assembly. The law received bipartisan support from both the center-right majority and the center-left opposition, with 237 votes in favor.
The new law, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative government, aims to address the alarming rise in violence targeting women in Italy. It includes stronger measures against gender-based crimes such as stalking and revenge porn. High-profile cases, like the tragic murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin in 2023, have sparked widespread public outcry and debate about the root causes of gender-based violence in Italy’s patriarchal culture.
In response to these issues, the government has doubled funding for anti-violence centers and shelters, established an emergency hotline, and implemented innovative education and awareness-raising initiatives. However, the opposition has raised concerns that the government’s approach only addresses the criminal aspect of the problem, overlooking economic and cultural divides that contribute to violence against women.
According to Italy’s statistics agency Istat, there were 106 femicides recorded in 2024, with 62 of them committed by partners or former partners. The debate over introducing sexual and emotional education in schools as a preventive measure against gender-based violence has become contentious in Italy. A proposed law would ban such education for elementary students and require explicit parental consent for high school lessons, sparking criticism from opposition parties and activists.
Italy is one of the few countries in Europe where sex and relationship education is not compulsory in schools. Advocates, like the head of Italy’s Democratic Party Elly Schlein, argue that prevention through education is essential and should be integrated into all school cycles. While the government defends its stance as a means to protect children from ideological activism, critics view the bill as regressive and inadequate in addressing the underlying issues contributing to violence against women.
The passage of this femicide law represents a crucial step forward in addressing gender-based violence in Italy. However, there is still much work to be done in terms of prevention, education, and addressing the systemic factors that perpetuate such violence. It is essential for the government to prioritize comprehensive solutions that empower and protect women across the country.
