Italy Recognizes Femicide as a Crime and Punishes It with Severe Penalties

• Italy has adopted a law regarding femicide, which punishes it severely.
• The law received support from both political camps.
• Debates about sexual education in schools are intensifying.

Rome — The Parliament of Italy has adopted a law that recognizes femicide as a crime and punishes it with severe penalties. The voting took place on November 25, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The law received support from both major political camps — the ruling coalition and the opposition, garnering 237 votes "in favor" in the Lower House. This step is a response to a series of murders and other violent crimes against women in Italy.

The law will introduce enhanced measures against gender-based violence, including stalking and harassment through pornography. High-profile incidents, such as the murder of student Giulia Cecchetti in 2023, have triggered widespread outrage and discussion about the causes of violence in patriarchal society in Italy.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the government will provide funding for centers to help victims of violence and establish an extraordinary hotline. She emphasized that this is just the beginning, and more needs to be done.

Although the opposition supported the law, it pointed out that the government's strategy only addresses the criminal aspect of the problem, neglecting economic and cultural disparities. The statistical agency of Italy, Istat, recorded 106 femicides in 2024, of which 62 involved ex-partners or former partners.

Debates about the introduction of sexual and emotional education in schools to prevent gender-based violence are intensifying. The government proposes to ban such education for students in the early grades and require explicit consent from parents for lessons in higher grades. The ruling coalition defends this measure as a way to protect children from ideological activism, while opposition parties and activists consider this law "mediocre."

Head of the Democratic Party of Italy Elly Schlein stated that Italy is one of only seven countries in Europe where sexual and relationship education is not mandatory in schools. She emphasized that the lack of preventive measures, which should be introduced in schools, is unacceptable.

Tags: Europe/Politics/Crime