On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Italian President Sergio Mattarella spoke out against the alarming statistics surrounding violence against women. He condemned this behavior, which he described as deeply rooted in inequality, gender stereotypes, and cultures that either tolerate or minimize abuse, often occurring within the family. Mattarella emphasized the importance of the Istanbul Convention, the first legally binding instrument to recognize gender violence as a human rights violation. He also stressed that while Italy ratified the Convention in 2013, more needs to be done to protect women, particularly the youngest, who continue to suffer violence.
The Istanbul Convention, according to Mattarella, is a crucial tool in the fight against gender-based violence. As the first legally binding international instrument to explicitly recognize violence against women as a violation of human rights, it has helped Italy implement measures to safeguard victims. However, the president acknowledged that current efforts have proven insufficient in preventing violence, with women—mothers, daughters, sisters—still being subjected to abuse and denied their basic right to a free and dignified life. Mattarella’s message was clear: this is an ongoing emergency.
Emphasizing the United Nations’ theme for this year’s observance—”No Excuse”—Mattarella reinforced that there are no justifications for gender violence. He called for concrete actions to combat discriminatory attitudes and biases that continue to weaken women in society, at work, and in their families. The president urged institutions and civil society to support women in reporting abuse, ensuring they receive protection and adequate assistance. Protecting women’s human rights, he concluded, is a value that benefits society as a whole.
