<p>**This episode contains descriptions of abuse and violence**</p><p>In November, the Italian parliament voted unanimously to introduce the term “femicide” into the country’s legal code. The murder of a woman – on account of her gender – is now a distinct crime, punishable with a life sentence.</p><p>The United Nations reported that last year nearly 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members.</p><p>Italy is the latest country to adopt a specific law in an effort to curb violence against women following a string of brutal murders of young women.</p><p>One of the most publicised was Giulia Tramontano, who was repeatedly stabbed by her partner while seven-months pregnant. Her murder - along with another case – sparked fierce outrage across Italy, culminating in the new law being passed.</p><p>In this episode, we hear from Giulia’s sister, Chiara Tramontano, and the BBC Southern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford. </p><p>Producer: Valerio Esposito</p><p>Executive Producer: James Shield</p><p>Mix: Travis Evans</p><p>Senior News Editor: China Collins</p><p>Photo: A framed photo of Giulia Tramontano at her funeral. Credit: Alessandro Memoli/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images)</p>

The Global Story

BBC World Service

The murders that moved a nation: Italy’s new femicide law

DEC 12, 202526 MIN
The Global Story

The murders that moved a nation: Italy’s new femicide law

DEC 12, 202526 MIN

Description

<p>**This episode contains descriptions of abuse and violence**</p><p>In November, the Italian parliament voted unanimously to introduce the term “femicide” into the country’s legal code. The murder of a woman – on account of her gender – is now a distinct crime, punishable with a life sentence.</p><p>The United Nations reported that last year nearly 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members.</p><p>Italy is the latest country to adopt a specific law in an effort to curb violence against women following a string of brutal murders of young women.</p><p>One of the most publicised was Giulia Tramontano, who was repeatedly stabbed by her partner while seven-months pregnant. Her murder - along with another case – sparked fierce outrage across Italy, culminating in the new law being passed.</p><p>In this episode, we hear from Giulia’s sister, Chiara Tramontano, and the BBC Southern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford. </p><p>Producer: Valerio Esposito</p><p>Executive Producer: James Shield</p><p>Mix: Travis Evans</p><p>Senior News Editor: China Collins</p><p>Photo: A framed photo of Giulia Tramontano at her funeral. Credit: Alessandro Memoli/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images)</p>