In the context of the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Italy took part in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.
The Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organisations in Geneva, Marie Sol Fulci, outlined that “countering violence against women in all forms is of utmost importance for Italy, both at national and international level, especially during the pandemic with many countries reporting dramatic increases in cases of domestic violence”. As highlighted in the Special Rapporteur’s report, rape is a violation of a range of human rights and it is the primary responsibility of States to effectively prevent, criminalize and prosecute it in accordance with international legal standards, applicable both in peacetime and during conflict.
Italy recalled the adoption in 2019 of the so called “Red Code” (Law No. 69) aimed at strengthening the protection of women and girls through the effective and timely safeguard of victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, while avoiding any administrative or judicial slowdown. A new National Strategic Plan on Violence against Women is currently being developed, was indicated, and will also include measures to combat economic violence, such as microcredits for women victims of violence.
“Fighting violence against women is also a key priority for Italy’s current mandate in the Human Rights Council as well as of our forthcoming Chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. We are committed to the full implementation of relevant international standards, starting from the CEDAW Convention”, stated the Italian Deputy Permanent Representative. Italy therefore encourages the wider ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), and supports various initiatives to prevent sexual violence in conflict and emergency situations, having joined the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
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