A new law recognising femicide in Italy has passed with huge political support, raising fresh questions about how the country tackles violence against women.
Italy has taken a significant legal step by writing the term femicide directly into its criminal code for the first time. The move follows years of mounting pressure from women’s groups, rising public anger and a succession of cases that have exposed how vulnerable women remain across the country. The new law, passed in the Lower Chamber with broad support from both government and opposition MPs, makes femicide punishable with life imprisonment and expands penalties for related gender-based crimes such as stalking and revenge porn.
The timing of the vote landed on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a moment when countries are asked to reflect on the scale of abuse faced by women and girls. In Italy, that reflection has grown sharper after a series of killings that have dominated the national conversation. The murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin in 2023 prompted widespread protests and renewed discussion about how deeply misogyny is embedded in Italian society. Her case became a rallying point for campaigners who argued that existing laws were failing to keep women safe.
The government, led by the conservative premier Giorgia Meloni, has presented the legislation as part of a wider effort to address violence against women. Meloni pointed to increased funding for anti-violence centres, more places in shelters and efforts to improve public awareness. She also talked about the expansion of a nationwide hotline, saying the government had made “concrete steps forward” but still had more to do. Supporters of the law believe the inclusion of femicide signals a recognition that the killing of women because they are women is a distinct crime requiring stronger consequences.
Italy’s national statistics agency recorded 106 femicides in 2024, with the majority carried out by partners or former partners. For many activists, these numbers illustrate why measures focused only on punishment will never be enough. They argue that prevention requires long-term investment in education, better support for women trying to leave violent relationships and a clearer challenge to the cultural attitudes that excuse or minimise misogynistic behaviour.
Those concerns are shared by the centre-left opposition, which voted in favour of the bill but warned that the government was addressing only one part of the problem. They note that gender-based violence is closely linked to income inequality, lack of housing options for women escaping abuse and persistent expectations about women’s roles in family life. Without addressing these underlying issues, they say, the law will struggle to achieve its aims.
The sharpest disagreement has centred on sexual and emotional education in schools. Campaigners view education as an essential tool for reducing violence by helping young people understand consent, relationships and gender equality. Italy remains one of only a handful of European countries where this type of education is not compulsory. Many teachers offer some form of lessons, but provision varies widely and often depends on whether parents approve.
The government has recently backed a proposal that would restrict this even further. The plan would prohibit any form of sexual or emotional education in primary schools and require explicit parental consent for material taught in secondary schools. Government MPs say this would protect children from what they describe as ideological pressure. Critics argue that the proposal clashes directly with the promise of the new femicide law. They believe withholding structured education leaves young people without guidance in areas where misinformation spreads easily.
Opposition parties and women’s rights groups have called the proposal outdated, warning that delaying discussions about relationships and consent does nothing to make children safer. Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic Party, said compulsory lessons across all school stages are needed because prevention begins long before criminal justice becomes involved.
Balancing these competing visions will shape how far Italy can go in addressing the causes of gender-based violence. Many experts stress that passing a law is only the starting point. The pressure now falls on policymakers to ensure that the legal change is matched with investment in prevention, education and support services that protect women before violence occurs.
The challenge for Italy is whether it can sustain the political will needed to confront the deeper issues that fuel violence against women and whether the promise of this new legislation can be felt in the daily lives of those most at risk.
