Italy’s Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara has drawn criticism for comments made during the launch of the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation. He suggested that a rise in sexual violence is linked to illegal immigration.
Speaking via video message at the Chamber of Deputies on Monday, Valditara said, “The scope of our Constitution, which does not allow discrimination based on sex, must be clear to every newcomer, to all those who want to live with us. We must not pretend not to see that the increase in sexual violence is also linked to forms of marginalisation and deviance that in some way derive from illegal immigration.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash, with critics accusing Valditara of using the occasion to push political propaganda instead of addressing Italy’s broader issues with gender-based violence and femicide.
The goals of the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation as explained by her father Gino are creating value and educational proposals to pass on to young people and adults. Spreading the value of life, altruism, the importance of loving and not hating. A message that will reach schools as early as the first months of 2025 thanks to a series of educational and awareness programs on gender violence for schools and families.
Cecchettin Family’s Response
The Cecchettin family, whose foundation was created in memory of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin — brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend a year ago — expressed unease at Valditara’s comments. Giulia’s sister, Elena Cecchettin, took to social media to condemn the focus on immigration rather than the systemic issues of domestic violence in Italy.
“Why must the families of the victims always be the ones to gather their strength and create something good for the future?” Elena wrote. “Instead of making propaganda at the presentation of the foundation that bears the name of a girl killed by a white, Italian and ‘nice’ boy, people should listen. Perhaps then, hundreds of women in our country wouldn’t continue to die every year.”
Giulia Cecchettin was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Filippo Turetta, in November 2023, days before she was due to graduate from Padua University. Turetta admitted to stabbing Giulia 75 times in a premeditated attack near Venice. The brutality of the killing, combined with the young ages of both victim and perpetrator, shocked the nation and reignited calls for action against femicide.
Giulia’s father, Gino, expressed a measured response to Valditara’s remarks, saying, “There are values that we agree on and others that we will have to talk about.”
Political Propaganda Overshadowing Action
The Education Minister’s focus on immigration during the foundation’s presentation has been widely criticised as an attempt to sideline Italy’s entrenched issues with gender-based violence. Many highlighted the fact that the majority of femicides and sexual assaults in Italy are committed by Italian men, as underscored by Giulia’s case.
While Valditara’s comments framed immigration as a contributor to rising sexual violence, critics argue this narrative detracts from meaningful efforts to address systemic issues, such as education, prevention, and law enforcement.
The Giulia Cecchettin Foundation was created to honour her memory and combat gender-based violence in Italy. However, for many, Monday’s event became a stark reminder of how political rhetoric continues to overshadow urgent reforms needed to protect women.
