Global Precedent, Local Urgency

Italy's parliament has unanimously passed a historic law formally recognizing femicide—the intentional killing of a woman or girl because of her gender—as a distinct crime punishable by a life sentence. The vote, held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, was a direct response to widespread public outrage over a series of brutal killings, most notably the 2023 murder of 22-year-old university student Giulia Cecchettin by her ex-boyfriend. This legislative action in Europe provides a stark contrast to the situation in Kenya, where activists and citizens are grappling with an alarming increase in femicide cases and demanding more robust legal protections.

Italy's Path to a New Law

The new Italian law, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and supported across the political spectrum, passed with 237 votes in favour and none against in the lower house, following an earlier approval by the Senate in July 2025. It defines femicide as a homicide motivated by "discrimination, hatred or violence" against a woman. Previously, Italian law only considered the relationship between the victim and perpetrator as an aggravating factor in homicide cases. The case of Giulia Cecchettin, who was stabbed to death just days before her graduation, galvanized the nation, leading to massive protests and calls for systemic change to address what her sister, Elena, described as a product of a "deeply patriarchal society." Her killer, Filippo Turetta, was sentenced to life in prison on December 3, 2024.

The Kenyan Context: A Crisis of Violence

While Italy takes a definitive legal step, Kenya is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of violence against women. According to data compiled by Africa Uncensored and Odipo Dev, at least 170 women were killed in 2024, the highest annual toll on record and a 79% increase from the 95 cases recorded in 2023. Further reports from the National Police Service highlighted that 129 women were killed in just the first three months of 2025. UNESCO has also cited alarming figures, noting 579 reported femicide cases in 2024. These statistics underscore a grim reality where the home is often the most dangerous place for women; a staggering 72% of femicides occur in a domestic setting, with intimate partners being the most frequent perpetrators.

In response to public outcry, President William Ruto established a 42-member task force to address gender-based violence, though concerns about its effectiveness persist among activists. Kenyan law includes several statutes aimed at protecting women, such as the Sexual Offences Act (2006), the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act (2015), and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011). However, legal experts and activists argue that these laws do not explicitly define or address femicide, creating a gap in the justice system.

A Global Perspective on Femicide Legislation

Globally, the legal recognition of femicide is gaining traction, particularly in Latin America, which has been at the forefront of this legislative movement. Mexico became the first country to pass a standalone federal law on femicide in 2012. Many other countries in the region, including Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, have since incorporated femicide into their penal codes, often influenced by the Inter-American Convention of Belém do Pará, which obligates states to eradicate violence against women. In contrast, Europe has moved more slowly. Before Italy's new bill, only a few European nations, such as Cyprus and Malta, had specifically codified femicide as a crime.

According to a 2025 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, nearly 50,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members in 2024. This translates to one woman or girl being killed every 10 minutes. Africa has the highest rate of femicide relative to its female population. These figures, which experts believe are underreported, highlight the universal nature of the threat and the urgent need for both legal and cultural interventions.

The Way Forward for Kenya

Italy's new law has reignited calls from Kenyan civil society organizations for the government to take more decisive action. Groups like Usikimye and the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) continue to provide critical support to survivors while advocating for legal reform. The key demand is for the explicit criminalization of femicide to ensure that gender-motivated killings are investigated, prosecuted, and punished as distinct, serious crimes. Proponents argue that such a law would not only provide justice for victims but also serve as a powerful deterrent and a clear statement of national intolerance for violence against women. As the global legal landscape shifts, the pressure mounts on Kenya to align its laws with the severity of its own femicide crisis.