“Nothing can be said anymore”, “I just told her not to dress like that”, “I just checked her phone”. “I sent two photos around”, “I punched the wall, it’s not like I hit her”; “I just told her: without me you are nothing”; “I just told her: if you leave me I will kill you”. It’s a very rapid sequence of exchanges between friends around a table the new video from the Cecchettin Foundationborn after Giulia’s femicide by father Gino’s will with the aim of educating the young generations to respect women. Violence against women insinuates itself into every sentence of that video. We talk about it with Elisa Ercolipresident of Differenza Donna who has been working to combat this phenomenon for 37 years and who really liked the video.
Why is the Cecchettin Foundation video important?
«It shows how male violence against women is widespread and normalized even in everyday and apparently calm contexts, such as a dinner with friends. It makes us understand that the phenomenon is not far away, but present in everyday life and often difficult to recognize.”
Young men speak in the video: what does it mean?
«These young people did not create misogyny, but inherited it from the adult world. Patriarchy and power inequality are often transmitted implicitly through everyday behavior. The lack of prevention reinforces this cultural model.”
What does the video reveal about violence against women?
«It shows that violence can start psychologically and become progressively more serious. The men who practice it often do not perceive themselves as violent and society struggles to recognize them as such. However, the escalation is predictable and preventable.”
Why is violence closer than we think?
«Because it concerns everyday situations and involves “normal” men. Many other men witness these narratives without opposing, while today it is essential that they take a stand.”
What does the phrase “Nothing can be said anymore” represent?
«It reflects social resistance to the recognition of gender discrimination. Many think that women have already obtained all their rights, but in reality inequalities persist and Italy has fallen in the global rankings on gender equality.”
Is patriarchy a cage for men too?
“Yes. Patriarchy also impoverishes their lives and hinders relationships based on reciprocity. Men should oppose this narrative and contribute to cultural change.”
After the Istanbul Convention, what is missing?
«We need comprehensive policies based on prevention, protection, punishment and systemic interventions. Courses on emotional education are not enough: widespread cultural campaigns are needed, as happened with the anti-smoking campaigns.”
Is the gender gap linked to violence?
«Economic and employment inequality reinforces power inequality. In Italy many women work less, earn less and, despite being more educated, are often excluded from the world of work. Without economic independence it is more difficult to be autonomous.”
Does talking only about feminicide risk hiding the rest?
“Yes. Media attention on feminicides can obscure the large amount of daily violence. In Italy over 6 million women have suffered violence, so we need to intervene long before it leads to murders.”
What is really needed in Italy today?
«We need a policy that addresses gender inequality as a problem of democracy and citizenship. The State should remove obstacles that prevent women’s full participation in social life, as provided for by the Constitution.”
