Becky Hunter Kelm writes at a moment when people of faith are crying out for justice as Italy takes a bold stand against femicide. As the nation names this violence for what it is, we’re reminded that God’s heart is always with the oppressed.
Italy’s courts are leading the way in calling out femicide for what it is: gender-motivated murder. Over two weeks ago, Italy’s parliament voted unanimously to name femicide as an official crime: murdering a woman because of her gender. Femicide is now a crime recognised and punishable by a life sentence in prison. This new legislation is not only significant for Italy, but it’s also a bold move that sends a message to the world: We want an end to violence against women.
Despite discussions about introducing femicide as a law before, it was the horrific murder of Giulia Cecchettin in 2023 that rallied action in Italy. Giulia was only 22 when her ex-boyfriend stabbed her to death and disposed of her body by a lake.
It was Giulia’s sister Elena’s remarks that her murderer was: ‘not a monster, but the “healthy son” of a deeply patriarchal society’ that brought outrage to the streets of Italy. Judge Paola di Nicola says that the days of femicide perpetrators’ motive being jealousy or unrequited love are over: ‘This law means we will be the first in Europe to reveal the real motivation of the perpetrators, which is hierarchy and power.’
READ MORE: Standing in faith: Making gender-based violence a national disaster in South Africa
Femicide cases like this one are not uncommon, with the UN’s document FEMICIDES IN 2024 stating that almost 50,000 women and girls were killed by their partners or other family members during 2024. God’s heart breaks with every tragic loss of life, and as a God of justice, we know that the guilty will one day be held to account for their actions. We also know that the desire to have patriarchal power over women by men is sinful and results in misogyny (hatred or prejudice against women, typically exhibited by men).
God made us women, alongside men, in his image.
God made us women, alongside men, in his image. He designed us, and he delights in us: 1. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.’
READ MORE: The death of Rebecca Cheptegei at the hands of her ex-partner should be a wake up call to the Church
While some Bible teachers have handled the Bible misogynistically, we just need to look at the person of Jesus to know that misogyny is the complete opposite of his heart for women and girls. Coming into a sexist culture, Jesus’ interactions and respect for women totally upended society’s expectations, even welcoming women as equal students welcomed to learn the scriptures at his feet.
I pray that Italy’s new femicide law causes more European courts to adopt the same, acknowledging the evil murder of females as being gender-led.
I pray that Italy’s new femicide law causes more European courts to adopt the same, acknowledging the evil murder of females as being gender-led. I pray that it’s the beginning of more discourse about femicide globally. Where I live in Türkiye, people are making more noise than ever against femicide with campaigns such as ’We Will Stop Femicides Platform.’
READ MORE: ‘Do men hate women? Or do they just fear us greatly?’
Whilst a shocking femicide case on the news might stop our scrolling on social media, let’s go one step further and prayerfully keep the issue closer to home in our everyday lives. Let’s be supportive friends and colleagues to those who might have volatile or controlling partners. Let’s be diligent in uncovering and challenging even the most slightly misogynistic jokes in our kids’ schools or even in our churches. And let’s pray for God’s justice to reign in the UK and beyond.
If you or a woman you know is suffering domestic abuse or is fearful of violence they Women’s Aid is a good place to check in.
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