Machismo, sexism and psychological
and physical violence against women are to be tackled in Italian
schools for the first time ever as part of a "big mobilisation"
to prevent and stem gender-based violence in Italy, Education
Minister Giuseppe Valditara said on Wednesday.
"A big mobilisation is underway, for the first time in Italy an
experiment of this kind is being conducted to address the issue
of sexism, machismo and psychological and physical violence
against women," said Valditara presenting the project 'Educating
in Relationship' in the Senate.
The minister said the scheme, announced by the government after
the femicide of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin as part of efforts
to prevent and stem gender-based violence in Italy, includes
civic education on from elementary to high school and a specific
project targeting high school students through discussion
groups.
Teachers are also being asked to introduce the culture of
respect in all school activities, he added.
"The Educating in relationship project took its cue from events
last summer, in Palermo and Caivano, from my a strong desire to
say 'enough is enough' to the residual macho culture that
continues to pollute the country," said Valditara, referring to
two high-profile gang rapes in the Sicilian regional capital and
Naples backwater that also allegedly involved minors.
"It is unacceptable that women should suffer harassment,
violence, up to the tragic events of these last few days," he
continued.
"School is to deal with the cultural phenomenon, that prevailing
male chauvinism that manifests itself in so many situations in
daily life, at school, at work, in the street," added the
minister, saying the project is an evolution of the 2015
initiative 'Educating in respect' and will initially be open to
schools on a voluntary basis.
A teacher focal point will be appointed in each participating
school and training will be provided for moderators of
discussion groups.
In all, activities will run for 30 hours and be followed by
monitoring of the results achieved.
The Senate is currently examining a bill drafted by Family and
Equal Opportunities and Family Minister Eugenia Roccella upping
protection for women in danger and survivors of gender-based
violence.
The package, which was signed off by the Government in June and
has already been approved by the Lower House, includes new
restraining orders and heightened surveillance on men guilty of
domestic violence and it also boosts the emergency gender
violence hotline.
The measures aim to interrupt the cycle of violence" and to "act
promptly and effectively" according to Roccella.
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