Italy protests growing number of femicides, urges Meloni government to step up

9 months ago 27

Italian cities have witnessed protests against the rise in the number of femicides with protesters demanding more action from the Meloni government.

On the occasion of the World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and following the tragic death of Giulia Cecchettin, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend who is now under arrest, citizens called for concrete action to stop the growing number of femicides.

Politicians in government took the floor to express grief and renew their commitment against gender-based violence, starting with measures recently passed in parliament and backed by all parties.

“We are free, and no one can take away our freedom. Nobody can think that we are in their possession”, said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Fratelli d’Italia/ECR) as she said people should call 1522 for immediate help if in danger.

“When a woman dies every three days, the spotlight must be turned on continuously. But it is not enough. There is so much more to be done also on the level of culture, including campaigns in schools”, the prime minister added.

On Thursday, the Roccella bill to combat violence against women and domestic violence was approved. It aims to increase the protection of victims through preventive measures, strengthening precautionary measures and lowering the threshold for criminal protection, as well as ensuring the certainty of the timeframe for proceedings relating to crimes of gender or domestic violence.

The majority and opposition parties are united on this issue despite having different priorities: the right wing on repression and the left wing on prevention. Elly Schlein, secretary of the Democratic Party (PD/S&D), also took part in Saturday’s demonstration in Rome, organised by the association ‘Non una di meno’.

“An extraordinary participation in the demonstration here as in the rest of Italy. It is an important signal that the country is calling for a step forward against gender violence. Repression is not enough. We must insist on prevention to eradicate the patriarchal culture”, Schlein said.

However, the large protest in Rome was controversial.

A group of demonstrators threw bottles and smoke bombs at the headquarters of Pro Vita, an association in favour of the traditional family and against abortion.

(Federica Pascale | Euractiv.it)