Italy now recognizes femicide as crime — punishable with life in prison

Thursday, November 27, 2025 -Italy’s parliament has approved a landmark law officially recognizing femicide — the murder of a woman motivated by her gender — as a distinct crime under its criminal code. The law was passed unanimously in the lower chamber, with 237 votes in favor.

Under the new legislation, anyone who kills a woman “with acts of discrimination or hatred toward the victim because she is a woman, or if the crime is aimed at repressing her rights, freedoms, or expression of personality” will face life imprisonment. The measure also strengthens penalties for related gender‑based crimes such as stalking and revenge porn.

The law, backed by the government led by Giorgia Meloni, comes amid rising concern over violence against women and is intended to send a clear message: gender‑based violence is unacceptable and will be met with the harshest consequences.