Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a historic and unanimous decision, deputies in the Italian parliament have passed a new law that recognizes femicide — the murder of a woman motivated by her gender — as a distinct crime punishable by life imprisonment. This important legislation was approved on the international day dedicated to ending violence against women, highlighting Italy's commitment to tackling this serious issue.

The push for this law gained momentum after a tragic incident in late November 2023, when 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend. He stabbed her and then tried to hide the crime by dumping her body near a lake. This shocking case moved the nation and sparked widespread calls for stronger legal protections against gender-based violence.

Thousands of people gathered to mourn Giulia and demand change, inspired especially by the powerful words of her sister, Elena. She described the killer not as a monster, but as a product of a deeply patriarchal society, exposing the cultural roots of such violence. Elena’s message struck a chord, leading to widespread public support for a law that addresses the problem head-on.

The new law was introduced by Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and passed with support from both the ruling government and opposition members. Many parliamentarians wore red ribbons or jackets in remembrance of victims of violence against women. With this law, Italy joins a small number of European Union countries — including Cyprus, Malta, and Croatia — that have officially defined femicide in their legal codes.

Judge Paola di Nicola, one of the key authors of the law, explained its significance. She led a commission that studied 211 recent murders of women to understand common patterns. She emphasized that femicide should no longer be misunderstood as a crime of "exasperated love" or jealousy, terms that have been used to excuse or downplay violence. Instead, the law recognizes femicide as a crime rooted in power and control, reflecting a social hierarchy that places women in vulnerable positions.

From now on, all murders of women motivated by gender will be officially recorded and studied as femicide in Italy. This will help bring greater awareness to the issue and support efforts to prevent such crimes in the future.

This law marks a major step forward in Italy’s fight against violence toward women, showing a clear message that crimes based on gender will be punished severely and acknowledged openly. It aims to protect women and promote a society where such violence is no longer tolerated.

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