Law classifies femicide – the murder of a woman motivated by gender – as a separate crime to homicide.
Italy’s lower house on Tuesday evening voted unanimously to approve a law that introduces the crime of femicide to be punished with life in prison.
The government-sponsored bill, which had cross-party support, was already passed by the senate in July and will enter into law after being signed into effect by the country’s president.
The bill introduces a new article into Italy’s criminal code which provides for a life sentence for anyone who kills a woman as an act of hatred, discrimination, abuse, or control, to limit her freedom, or in relation to her refusal to establish or maintain an emotional relationship.
Italian law already provides for a specific aggravating circumstance for most killings that qualify as femicide, but not as a separate crime.
In a symbolic move, lawmakers approved the bill on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The law comes after Italy was shocked by a string of high-profile femicides in recent years including the murder of Giulia Cecchettin by her former boyfriend two years ago.
Prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday underlined the steps taken by her government, including the doubling of funding for anti-violence shelters for women, promoting the 1522 emergency helpline and implementing awareness campaigns.
“These are concrete steps forward, but we won’t stop here. We must continue to do much more, every day” – Meloni wrote on X – “To protect, to prevent, to support. To build an Italy in which no woman should ever feel alone, threatened or not believed.”
Photo Roma Capitale: ‘No Violence, Only Love’ at the Spanish Steps on Tuesday 25 November 2025.
