Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.
In a symbolic move, the bill was approved on the day dedicated to the elimination of violence against women worldwide.
The idea of a law on femicide had been discussed in Italy before but the murder of Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend was a tragedy that shocked the country into action.
In late November 2022, the 22-year-old was stabbed to death by Filippo Turetta, who then wrapped her body in bags and dumped it by a lakeside.
The killing was headline news until he was caught, but it was the powerful response of Giulia's sister, Elena, that has endured. The murderer was not a monster, she said, but the healthy son of a deeply patriarchal society. These words brought crowds out across Italy demanding change.
Now, Italy will record every murder of a woman that is motivated by her gender as femicide.
Introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the law was backed by her own hard-right government, as well as opposition MPs. Many wore red ribbons or red jackets today to remember victims of violence.
This law will apply to murders which are an act of hatred, discrimination, domination, control, or subjugation of a woman as a woman, or that occur when she breaks off a relationship or to limit her individual freedoms.
However, there are critics. Some believe the law's definition of femicide is too vague and could complicate legal proceedings. Additionally, proving that a murder was motivated by gender poses challenges, as many women killed in Italy are murdered by former partners.
Nevertheless, many see this legislation as a necessary step towards broadening the conversation about gender-based violence and addressing the underlying societal issues that lead to such acts.
