Italy Takes a Stand Against Femicide

Italy has made a bold move to tackle violence against women. Lawmakers from all sides came together to pass a new law. This law makes femicide a specific crime in Italy's legal system. Femicide refers to the murder of women due to gender-based violence. Those found guilty of this crime can now face life in prison. This law is a big deal because it helps recognize and measure the extent of violence against women in Italy. According to recent data, more than half of the women murdered in Italy were killed by their partners or ex-partners. This shows a troubling pattern of domestic violence. The new law was partly inspired by the tragic death of Giulia Cecchettin. She was a 22-year-old university student killed by her ex-boyfriend in November 2023. Her death sparked widespread protests and calls for stronger laws to protect women. During these protests, people often jangled their house keys as a symbol of resistance against patriarchal violence. Giulia's ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, was convicted of her murder in 2024 and is now serving a life sentence. While the new law is a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen how effectively it will be enforced and whether it will lead to real change.