In Italy, killers of women will now face life imprisonment

In Italy, killers of women will now face life imprisonment

The country’s Parliament has passed a law introducing life sentences for femicide. The bill was approved by the Senate in July, and the Criminal Code now officially includes the term “femicide” — the killing of women.

The legislative change was prompted by a shocking case: a 22‑year‑old woman was murdered by her boyfriend, who placed her body in bags and left it on a lakeshore. The crime deeply shocked the nation and led to tougher penalties.

According to official data, Italy recorded 106 cases of femicide in 2024, 62 of which were committed by women’s current or former partners.