Photo: Romania Journal
Romania has reached an important turning point in the fight against violence against women. President Nicușor Dan signed the anti-femicide law, formally putting it into force. Now, the intentional killing of women is recognized as a separate type of gender-based violence.
Previously, such crimes were treated under the general murder article. The new law sharply increases the punishment and provides for 15 to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment.
In his statement, the president stressed the seriousness of the problem, noting that violence against women is one of the most severe and humiliating situations in society, while for many years this issue had not received sufficient attention.
The lawmakers behind the bill backed their position with clear figures. In the first 8 months of 2025, 33 murders linked to domestic violence were recorded in the country, and in 69% of them the victims were women. This means that, on average, three women lose their lives each month.
The bill was introduced to parliament in October 2025 and supported by more than 270 lawmakers. According to human rights advocates, the separate definition of “femicide” will enable law enforcement agencies to intervene before a crime is committed.
In this way, Romania has joined countries such as Croatia, Italy, Belgium, Cyprus and Malta, becoming one of the European countries to recognize femicide at the legal level.
In short, this law is not just a legal change — it is a signal to society: violence against women is no longer a “normal occurrence,” but a serious crime punishable with strict penalties.
