After a 12-day mission in Italy, the UN Special Rappoteur on violence against women, its causes, and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, emphasized that Italy’s economic and political situation cannot justify decreasing resources designated to addressing violence against women. This is especially important as femicide and domestic violence incidences have been increasing.

Ms. Manjoo spent January 15-26, 2012, in Italy, meeting survivors of violence, women in custody, and visiting anti-violence shelters in several cities. During her mission, Ms. Manjoo met with officials and civil society representatives.

Ms. Manjoo focused on four different areas of violence against women: violence in the home, the community, violence in the transnational context, and violence perpetrated or condoned by the state. Ms. Manjoo reported that there is available experience and expertise in Italy to offer legal, social, psychological, and economic assistance to victims of violence, but it is important that these resources are not lost due to the current economic state. She noted, “A fragmented legal framework and inadequate investigation, punishment for perpetrators, and compensation for women victims of violence, also contributes to the silencing and invisibility surrounding this issue.”

Ms. Manjoo examined the issues of femicide and violence against women in Roma and Sinti communities, as well as other migrant women, women with disabilities, transgendered people, and detained women. These groups face multiple forms of discrimination.

Ms. Manjoo's complete findings will be presented at the Human Rights Council's June 2012 session.

Compiled from:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),  Women’s UN Report Network (1 February, 2012).