Italy has officially made femicide—a deliberate killing of women or girls—a specific crime punishable by life imprisonment, after lawmakers unanimously passed the landmark bill on Tuesday. This measure strengthens protections for women nationwide.
The new law creates a unique category in the penal code for homicides “based on the characteristics of the victim,” expanding beyond previous legal provisions, which only considered aggravating factors like marriage or family relations.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the legislation, calling it an essential tool to “defend the freedom and dignity of every woman.” The bill had already passed the Senate in July before receiving full parliamentary approval.
The law mandates life imprisonment for killings motivated by discrimination, hatred, or violence against women, making it one of the strongest measures in Europe aimed at addressing gender-based violence.
Statistics highlight the urgent need for such measures. Italy’s national statistics institute reported that 116 of 327 homicides in 2024 involved women or girls, with men responsible for 92.2 percent of the cases.
The move coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which reported that around 50,000 women and girls worldwide died last year at the hands of partners or family members.