Femicide Law: In a major step to prevent violence against women, Italy has approved a new law that introduces “femicide” as a distinct crime into its criminal code, punishable by life imprisonment. Italian parliamentarians on Tuesday, voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide, which refers to the murder of a woman, motivated by gender as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.
What is Femicide Law?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the approval of bill as a sign of “political cohesion against the barbaric nature of violence against women.” Interestingly, the approval coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. She said, “I am very pleased with Parliament's approval of the bill introducing the crime of femicide. It is an important sign of political cohesion against the barbaric nature of violence against women.”
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The murders of women killed for misogynistic reasons in Italy will now be defined as femicide. Femicide law penalises the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender. The new legislation aims to provide a stronger legal framework to combat a persistent issue in the country, further making it easier to improve awareness about the scale of misogynistic.
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What is Femicide?
Femicide is defined as the killing of a woman because of hatred, discrimination, control, or dominance over her as a woman. It also includes killing a woman for refusing a relationship or for trying to live freely. The law gives life imprisonment for anyone guilty of femicide. It also increases punishment for crimes like stalking and revenge porn, and requires mandatory training for magistrates.
Violence against women caught national attention and sparked discussion in Italy in November 2023 when a 22-year-old university student, Giulia Cecchettin was stabbed by her boyfriend. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
PM Meloni on violence against women
Reiterating her strong stance over violence against women, PM Meloni wrote on X, “Violence against women is an act against freedom. Of everyone. An intolerable phenomenon that continues to strike and must be fought relentlessly. In recent years, we have enacted very significant laws, toughened penalties, and strengthened the tools available, such as the "red code" and prevention measures. We have doubled funding for anti-violence centers and shelters, enhanced and made structural the freedom income, promoted the 1522 number, and advanced innovative education and awareness activities,” she said.
“These are concrete steps forward, but we do not stop here. We must continue to do much more, every day. To protect, to prevent, to support. To build an Italy in which no woman should ever feel alone, threatened, or not believed. The freedom and dignity of women are a duty of the State and a responsibility of everyone,” Meloni added.
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