The Istanbul Convention in Italy: Legislative activism failing to protect women victims of violence

In recent years, Italy has implemented numerous legislative measures to combat gender-based violence against women, driven by increased awareness and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2013. Despite the legislative proliferation, implementation issues persist, as highlighted by the European Court of Human Rights’ rulings against Italy on domestic violence. This chapter examines the evolution of civil and criminal law in Italy post-Istanbul Convention, focusing on the discrepancies between the legal framework and its practical application. The analysis incorporates findings from the GREVIO Baseline Evaluation Report on Italy (2021) and relevant European Court of Human Rights’ jurisprudence. We also critically reflect on the legislative activism that has characterized Italian action in another field, namely women's reproductive rights.