D.i.Re - Women on the Net against violence expresses satisfaction with the content of the Concluding Observations on Italy's eighth report on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). They were, in fact, many points have been highlighted relationship of civil society - presented last January 29th in Geneva - taken up by the Committee to formulate specific recommendations to the Italian State.
"The observations of the Committee's experts confirm Italy as a country characterized by the persistence of sexism and gender stereotypes at a social and institutional level in relation to all the topics covered by CEDAW, in particular education, violence, work, affirmation of women's rights women, access to justice” declares Marcella Pirrone, Rete D lawyer.i.King.
In fact, the concluding observations of the Cedaw Committee on Italy's eighth periodic report, published on 19 February 2024, recommend that the State strengthen the gender dimension in the implementation of the Convention in a long-term and systemic way the Elimination of Discrimination against Women – ratified by Italy in 1985, and to adopt measures to effectively address regional disparities in the enjoyment of women's rights.
The serious economic and, in general, power disparity between men and women, as well as in family relationships and in the workplace, or in participation in all political, cultural, social and economic areas of society, is considered with great concern by the Committee which asks the State to “38 (a) Reformulate the national policy on equal opportunities at work and continue and further strengthen measures aimed at increasing women's access to employment“ with further request of “38(c), significantly increase the availability of quality, affordable childcare facilities and services, and adopt programs to support women seeking to re-enter the workforce after long career breaks….”
"A picture of persistent discrimination and failure to assert women's rights in Italy has been outlined, which is the root of the problem of violence against women and exacerbates all forms of violence (physical, psychological, sexual, economic and domestic) which in fact the Committee asks to define in line with General Recommendation n. 35 on gender violence against women, updating General Recommendation no. 19. Compared to the existing system to combat violence, the Committee observes serious structural deficits", says Elena Biaggioni, vice president D.i.Re - Women on the Net against violence
In addition to underlining the cruciality of adequate funding for anti-violence centers and shelters, the Committee expressed important recommendations which specifically concern violence against women:
- “Strengthen the training of professionals in the judicial and legal fields as well as address judicial gender biases and prevent secondary victimization of women (16(b))
- Ensure, through continuous and mandatory training of judges, prosecutors, police officers and other law enforcement officials (…omissis…) that protection orders are effectively enforced and monitored, with sanctions for non-compliance (28 (e)).”
One of the issues most felt by anti-violence centers concerns the custody of sons and daughters in separations, in the presence of situations of mistreatment or violence. The Committee expressed concern and, in paragraph 56 (a), recommends “ensure that courts give due weight to history of gender violence when deciding on child custody or visitation rights, and provide mandatory and ongoing training for judges, lawyers and children's services in this regard.”
The Italian Disability Forum expresses satisfaction with the Committee's observations: "The experts of the CEDAW Committee listened to the voices of girls and women with disabilities. Now we have validated tools to ask our country that the time has come to eliminate discrimination"
For Action Aid “Ensuring adequate human, technical and financial resources for the Italian anti-violence system and strengthening the regulatory framework of anti-violence policies, guaranteeing coordination with the Regions, is decisive for preventing male violence against women, providing assistance and support and eliminating territorial disparities . ActionAid particularly welcomes this recommendation to Italy from the UN Committee for the elimination of discrimination against women, in line with the evidence it has been collecting for years to guarantee all women, regardless of their place of residence, the right to live a life without violence.”
SNOQ? Turin: “The Committee expressed concern about the hampering effect on the right to abortion of the widespread use of conscientious objection throughout Italy. The serious lack of application of Law 194 and the strong territorial differences remain a problem and this reinforces civil society's requests for effective implementation of the law as well as for the transposition of the recent WHO guidelines. "
According to Parteciarte, “The Committee's indications regarding the topic of education are in clear contradiction with Minister Valditara's work plan. We find, in fact, recommendation 36 (b) which asks for “Ensure that gender stereotypes are eliminated from textbooks at all levels of education and in all regions of the State party, and that school curricula, academic programs and professional teacher training adequately address the rights of women and gender equality; and recommendation 36 (c) which calls for “Provide compulsory, comprehensive and age-appropriate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights to girls and boys as part of the mainstream school curriculum,…”” .
Contributed to the drafting of the report:
D.i.Re – Women online against violence – Titti Carrano, Rebecca Germano, Marcella Pirrone
Women's Coordination Association – D.i.Re – Elena Biaggioni
CADMI – Shelter for Battered Women Milan – D.i.King – Benedetta Tonetti
VivereDonna anti-violence center – D.i.Re – Silvia Menecali
“Roberta Lanzino” anti-violence center – D.i.King – Paola Sdao
Veneto Women's Projects Center – D.i.King – Irina Lenzi, Stefania Loddo, Claudia Pividori
Action Aid Italia – Isabella Orfano, Rossella Silvestre
AIDOS – Maria Grazia Panunzi
Association The Alice project – Cristina Gamberi
Assolei Aps – Dalila Novelli
BeFree - Social Cooperative against trafficking, violence, discrimination – Oria Gargano
CGIL – Mabel Grossi
Italian coordination of the European Women's Lobby/Lef – Italy – Titti Carrano
COSPE – Margherita Accornero, Debora Angeli
Cpo Usigrai – Monica Pietrangeli
DonneinQuota – Donatella Martini
DonnexDiritti Association – Luisa Betti Dakli
Educating about differences – Margherita Accornero, Cristina Gamberi, Sara Marini
Escapes – Laboratory of critical studies on forced migration – Barbara Pinelli
Women Jurists Association Forum – Siusi Casaccia
GIUdiT Association of Italian Jurists – Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Milli Virgilio
GiULiA Journalists – Serena Bersani
International Women – Lucrezia Cairo
Italian Forum on Disability – Luisella Bosisio Fazzi, Silvia Cutrera
Ladynomics – Giovanna Badalassi
LeNove – Social studies and research – Stefania Pizzonia
Parteciparte – Claudia Signoretti
Period Think Tank – Giulia Sudano
Network for Equality – Rosanna Oliva
SHOCKS Aps – Sara Marini
If not now, when? Turin – Gabriella Congiu, Enrica Guglielmotti, Laura Onofri
The Advocates for Human Rights
Marina Della Rocca
Letizia Lambertini
Cecilia Robustelli
Linda Laura Sabbadini