The Italian Parliament has approved a law that considers feminicide a standalone crime, punishable by life in prison. The bill passed unanimously on November 25, on the occasion of the UN‑designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The crime differs from homicide when it is committed through acts of control, possession, or domination over the victim as a woman. It also applies when the homicide is perpetrated because a relationship ended, to retain control, or to limit a woman’s freedom. The bill also extends victim coverage and offers greater protection to eventual orphans.
Defined as an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation, femicide may be driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls, unequal power relations between genders, or harmful social norms. And despite decades of activism from women's rights organizations, and growing awareness from governments worldwide, evidence shows that progress in stopping such violence isn't happening quickly enough.
Click on to learn more about the sad reality of femicide around the world.