Justice Minister Carlo Nordio drew criticism on Friday after telling an international conference on femicides and gender violence in Rome that men’s “genetic code” resists gender parity. He said male attitudes reflect “a sedimentation” built over millennia of oppression and perceived superiority. He added that men must accept full equality with women, but subconscious resistance remains.
Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities Minister Eugenia Roccella also caused controversy. She said sex education does not reduce femicides and cited Sweden as an example. She argued that long-standing sex education in Swedish schools has not led to lower levels of violence against women.
“Sweden has more violence and more femicides,” she said. She stressed that she did not wish to “criminalise” Sweden but insisted there is no link between sex education and falling rates of violence. The government currently requires parental approval for students to attend sex education classes, a rule that has drawn criticism from opposition parties.
Centre-left lawmakers condemned both ministers’ comments. Italia Viva House Whip Maria Elena Boschi called the statements “embarrassing.” She said Nordio’s description of male attitudes as a “taint” and Roccella’s claim that education is ineffective insult women who expect respect and equal opportunities.
Boschi said the Meloni government’s stance shows why Italy is falling behind. She argued that women need enforced laws, stable funding, stronger anti-violence centres, and a culture of respect taught in schools. She added that equality is a constitutional duty, not an abstract idea or a biological issue.
