Violence against women remains a pervasive issue, yet many incidents go unreported due to widespread stigma, fear, and silence. On Saturday, protests were held across Italy.
On Saturday, thousands of people marched through cities in Italy and France. This ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November.
The demonstrations aimed to draw attention to the many forms of abuse women face, from physical and sexual violence to psychological and economic exploitation. The United Nations established the day to highlight the scale of the problem and the barriers that often keep it hidden.
Italy saw a 14% rise in reports of domestic violence in 2024 according to a support group report.
Protestors strip in Rome
In Rome, protesters staged dramatic demonstrations, many standing partially naked and hooded in balaclavas. The act mirrored the defiance of Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei, who removed her clothing in a protest against her country’s regime.
Chants of “We are the loud, ferocious shout of all the women who no longer have a voice” echoed through the streets as banners proclaimed, “It’s my body, I decide.” Other Italian cities, including Palermo, saw similar events.
Government rhetoric exposed
A report from social research institute Eures revealed 99 women were killed in Italy up to 18 November this year. Over a third of these victims (37%) were aged 65 or older, and most were killed by a spouse or child.
Foreign women accounted for almost a quarter of femicide victims, rising from 17 last year to 24. Meanwhile, foreign perpetrators dropped significantly, from 23 last year to 16, a decrease of 30.4%. These figures challenge government rhetoric linking illegal immigration to rising violence statistics. The stark increase in foreign victims highlights broader vulnerabilities. However, the decrease in foreign perpetrators suggests a more complex narrative than politicians often imply.
