Italian Parliament Unanimously Approves Femicide as Distinct Crime
The Italian parliament has unanimously voted to introduce femicide, defined as the murder of a woman motivated by gender, as a distinct crime. The new legislation mandates a life sentence for such offenses. The bill's approval coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Legislative Background
Discussions regarding a femicide law in Italy had occurred previously. A key event that accelerated the legislative process was the murder of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin in November 2022 by her ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta. Following her death, Giulia's sister, Elena Cecchettin, publicly characterized the murder as a symptom of a patriarchal societal structure, which contributed to public protests advocating for legislative change.
The law was introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and received support from both the governing coalition and opposition members of parliament. Many legislators wore red ribbons or jackets during the parliamentary session to acknowledge victims of violence.
Definition and Implementation
The new Italian law will categorize murders motivated by a woman's gender as femicide. Judge Paola di Nicola, a co-author of the legislation, stated that the law's significance lies in ensuring that "Femicides will be classified, they will be studied in their real context, they will exist." She further elaborated that the law aims to "reveal the real motivation of the perpetrators, which is hierarchy and power," moving beyond interpretations of such crimes as "exasperated love or strong jealousy."
The law defines femicide to include murders that are "an act of hatred, discrimination, domination, control, or subjugation of a woman as a woman," or those occurring when a woman ends a relationship or seeks to exercise individual freedoms.
Italy now joins Cyprus, Malta, and Croatia among EU member states that have incorporated a legal definition of femicide into their criminal codes.
Statistics and Sentencing
According to recent Italian police data, 116 women were killed last year, with 106 cases identified as gender-motivated. Under the new law, such cases will be recorded separately and will result in an automatic life sentence, intended as a deterrent.
Gino Cecchettin, Giulia's father, stated he was unsure if such a law would have saved his daughter, noting her killer received a life sentence regardless. However, he emphasized the importance of defining and discussing the problem. He has since established a foundation in Giulia's name, focused on educational initiatives to prevent future violence, rather than solely on legislation. His efforts involve speaking in schools and universities to promote respect and provide tools for young people to manage emotions.
Criticisms and Broader Context
The femicide law has faced criticism. Law professor Valeria Torre of Foggia University described the new definition as potentially vague and challenging for judges to implement. She also suggested that existing legal frameworks might already offer sufficient protection, advocating instead for increased economic investment to address gender inequality in Italy.
Even proponents of the femicide legislation acknowledge the need for comprehensive measures addressing gender inequality alongside the new law.