"The introduction of the criminal offence and the legal recognition of the crime of femicide does not reassure us and I believe that, only through the assumption of the recognition of the foundations of the crime, or rather the existence of gender discrimination, can we think about the effectiveness of the intervention.” declares Antonella Veltri, president D.i.Re – Donne in Rete contro la violenza. "We do not expect a decrease in the number of femicides, because – we have said and we repeat – it is not with severe or more severe penalties that the right of women to live a life free from violence is affirmed.” continues Veltri. “Recognizing the need for specific training is important, but changing course also means concretely recognizing the need for adequate economic investments to change the culture of a country that, through penalties and their increases, does not respond to women's right to freedom from violence.” concludes the president.

D.i.Re – Donne in Rete contro la violenza, while finding some positive elements in the text of the bill such as – finally – mandatory training, notes – again – that the articulation of the proposals comes before (and without) a real discussion with those who work daily on these issues. In addition to the crime of femicide, a specific aggravating circumstance of discrimination is introduced for all crimes expressing violence against women. It will be interesting to see how it works: if it is approved, the lawyers of the anti-violence centers will monitor its actual effectiveness.

The anti-violence centers of the Network D.i.Re are ready to contribute to the parliamentary debate to bring the experience of those who revealed for the first time in Italy the existence of male violence against women, a phenomenon of which femicide is the latest consequence of many failures to take a stand and pay attention to the phenomenon.