Italian President Sergio Mattarella says the road to equality must be travelled at speed and shared by men and women.
True freedom is possible only if it is shared by men and women, the Italian President Mattarella said today.
“The road to achieving effective equality – consisting of full rights and opportunities – is still long and still presents difficulties,” said Mattarella during a ceremony at the Quirinale Palace in Rome for International Women’s Day.
“But added to this is the certainty that this road must be travelled with the utmost determination and speed. Because in every part of the world, the quality of life and the very future of every society depends on the general condition of women.
“There can be no true freedom if it is not shared by women and men,” he concluded.
Femicide attacks rose in 2022
Femicide attacks in Italy in 2022 rose to 125 from 119 the previous year, according to a report published on Wednesday. The central directorate of crime police released the report to coincide with International Women’s Day.
Of the total, 103 women were killed by a partner or ex-partner or other family member. 95% were 18 or over and 78% were Italian, the report said. The report came the day after a 35-year-old Ukrainian woman was found dead in her home in Rosarno. The body reportedly also showed signs of previous violence. Her partner, also from Ukraine, has been arrested by police on suspicion of murder.
Stalking and abuse against women instead fell in 2022 over the previous year. However, reported incidents of sexual violence increased.
Meloni recalls femicides as she marks IWD 2023
Premier Giorgia Meloni marked International Women’s Day by recalling the women in Italy who have met violent deaths.
“It is for them, and for every woman who is the victim of persecution, discrimination and abuse, that we must continue the battle to combat all forms of violence, using all the instruments at our disposal,” Meloni said in a Facebook post.
“It is the institutions’ duty to make sure that such barbarities do not take place any more.
“In the same way, it is our duty to knock down the hurdles that do not allow all women to be able to express their priceless potential to the full in the sectors in which they have ambitions”.
Related article: Meloni says time for female Italian President is close
“8th March should not be a day of claiming what others should grant women, but rather a day of pride and awareness of what we can do, whether others like it or not,” Meloni said.
“My commitment is to Italian women who face enormous difficulties every day. In order to have their talents affirmed, their sacrifices recognised. Likewise, it is my daily commitment to find solutions so that the women of this nation can fully affirm themselves without having to give things up, because that is not right,” she concluded.
Pope thanks women for commitment to humane society
Pope Francis thanked women for their commitment to building a more humane society. This, he said, ” is the privilege of women alone”
“On International Women’s Day, I think of all women: I thank them for their commitment to building a more humane society, through their ability to grasp reality with a creative eye and a tender heart,” said the Pope at the end of his general audience in the Vatican.
This year’s International Women’s Day has an #EmbraceEquity campaign theme. It is designed to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough.
