Italy Protests: Why Are Tens of Thousands Demanding an End to Violence Against Women?

ROME- Tens of thousands of people rallied across Italy, demanding an end to violence against women in the wake of the recent murder of university student Giulia Cecchettin. Allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend just days before graduation, Cecchettin’s tragic case has fueled widespread public outrage.

Protests in Naples, Milan, and Rome brought attention to the broader issue of violence against women. Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, declared that such murders could not be tolerated, emphasizing that society’s failure lay in its acceptance of such violence.

Data from the Italian interior ministry revealed that 106 women had been killed in the country this year, with 55 of them allegedly by a partner or ex-partner. The demonstrations coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

In response to the crisis, Serie A, Italy’s top men’s soccer league, participated in a campaign, with players and coaches donning red marks on their faces as a symbol against violence. The initiative, accompanied by the slogan “a red card against violence,” aimed to raise awareness and promote action in a country where, on average, one woman is killed every three days. The movement reflects a broader societal reckoning and a call for change.