When Murder has a Gender – Femicides in the European Union

By: Pauline Armbruster 

Reading time: 3 minutes

Source: Tingey Injury Law Firm (2020): Lady Justice background. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/de/fotos/frau-mit-schwertstatue-wahrend-des-tages-DZpc4UY8ZtY

The term “femicide" describes the killing of women and girls because of their gender. It is a systematic killing, based on patriarchal patterns of masculine superiority and the belief that men are entitled to control the female sex. 

This is a worldwide phenomenon: in 2024, the murder of approximately 50 000 women and girls can be traced back to a femicide. In the European Union the number is lower than elsewhere, however the issue is not solved. 

It is a worldwide crisis – Asia, Africa, America, Oceania and Europe report femicides and numbers remain alarmingly high. Still, this systematic murder does not find broad legal recognition in the European Union and beyond. 

Femicide as ordinary murder?

In all European Member States, femicide is punishable. However, it is mostly addressed as ordinary murder, which omits the patriarchal patterns of male domination and control. 

Some Member States start to take action to address the issue in its completeness. The research service of the European Parliament highlights development for instance in the following cases:

In 2022, Malta recognised femicide as aggravating factor in murder which leads to harsher penalty. In the same year, Cyprus went further and established femicide as distinct crime, being punishable with lifetime imprisonment. In the last year of 2025, Italy and Romania followed their model in similar ways.  

Besides such national development, the European Union does not provide a legal response. The Directive (EU) 2024/1385 is however a noteworthy action in the combat of gender-based violence. It binds Member States to provide support and protection for victims of violence and to measures for the prevention of femicide. Subsequently, the EU did acknowledge femicides as an issue, as well as its responsibility to take action, yet the scope could be expanded further.

Over the course of the last year, the European Parliament expressed its support for the legal recognition of femicides. In its resolution from November 2025, the European Parliament addressed its request in a resolution to the Commission, being the Union’s actor to propose new legislation. In February 2026, in the light of an upcoming meeting of the United Nations, the European Parliament formulated its demand even broader – it shall be called for a global recognition of this crime.

What could legal recognition change?    

First, a European legal recognition of femicides would facilitate data gathering and related research. Currently, EU statistics and numbers lack accuracy; in 2024 for instance only 17 out of 27 EU member states provided data, specifically on femicides. This gap trivializes the issue, and hinders a clear assignment of political responsibility.

Closely connected to the previous aspect, this legal recognition would facilitate taking preventive measures. Among others, harsher punishment could be introduced which can have a deterrent effect. In Italy, the introduction of femicides as distinct crime leads to life sentence, with the intent to deter. 

Finally, the legal recognition of femicides on Union level would entail symbolic value and raise societal awareness for the issue. It would present a response to protests and the mobilisation that demand further action against the issue of femicides, which take place across European member states, such as in Romania or Italy. 

Besides advantages, the legal recognition of femicides is met with criticism. After Italy introduced femicide as distinct offence, Professor Valeria Torre stated "There is no lack of protection, no legal gap to fill,". She argued that this Italian act is only of symbolical value. Further, she elaborates on the practical difficulties of such legal recognition, meaning the difficulty to differentiate femicides from ordinary homicides.  

Femicide is a global issue, with Europe being no exception as emphasised above. Addressing femicides not only in a societal or political frame but legally recognising it as a distinct crime is not going to solve this issue as a whole, however it may contribute to a more just and peaceful society - actively combatting gender violence and raising awareness. Followingly, the actions of Member States and the European Parliament are meaningful and need attention.