Femminicidio. Che cos'è, come si può fermare?

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Professor Calloni explores the concept of femicide, its causes, and global prevention strategies. She explains that femicide is the gender-based killing of women, often rooted in societal power imbalances and masculinity crises. Calloni emphasizes the rise in femicides, particularly in Italy, and examines the holistic approach of the 'Scotland Method,' which has been successful in the UK and Spain. She highlights Italy's progress and challenges in implementing effective laws and strategies to combat domestic violence and femicide, advocating for comprehensive, coordinated actions at all societal levels.

Takeaways

• 😀 Femicide is defined as the murder of a woman by a man due to her gender, specifically because she is a woman.
• 😀 The concept of femicide entered academic and political debate in 1992, thanks to criminologists and anthropologists studying gender-based violence.
• 😀 Femicide is an issue of gender violence, with a focus on the crisis of masculinity and family dynamics in recent times.
• 😀 In Italy, femicides surged in 2012, with 120 cases, 70% of which were committed by family members or close acquaintances.
• 😀 The reasons behind male violence towards women include the crisis of masculinity, fear of abandonment, and resentment over women's increasing success.
• 😀 The 'Scotland Method,' developed by Patricia Scotland in the UK, is a holistic approach to tackling domestic violence, involving multiple stakeholders such as institutions, social services, courts, employers, and policymakers.
• 😀 The 'Scotland Method' has been effective in reducing unresolved cases by 61% and significantly lowering the number of deaths due to domestic violence.
• 😀 The 'Scotland Method' has been adopted into law in the UK and Spain, but Italy has yet to implement a comprehensive law or method addressing domestic violence.
• 😀 Italy has signed the Istanbul Convention against sexual violence but has not yet passed a law to address domestic violence comprehensively.
• 😀 There is a need for preventive measures, monitoring, and actions to combat domestic violence, as highlighted by UN rapporteur Rashida Manjoo.

Q & A

What is femicide, and why is it defined this way?

Femicide refers to the killing of a woman by a man specifically because of her gender. It is considered an act rooted in gender-based violence, where the woman is murdered due to her identity as a woman. The term entered academic and political debates in 1992, largely due to criminologists who recognized the distinct nature of these crimes.

What role did Mexican anthropologist Lagarde play in the development of the femicide concept?

Mexican anthropologist Lagarde studied the case of women murdered in the city of Juárez and contributed significantly to the conceptualization of femicide as a distinct phenomenon. Her work helped bring attention to gender-based violence and its specific societal implications.

What are some of the key risks associated with femicide?

Femicide risks are often seen as 'natural,' but recent trends highlight an alarming escalation, particularly in domestic settings. There is a clear link between the crisis of masculinity, familial relationships, and an increase in femicides, with data showing a rise in such incidents, especially around 2012 in Italy.

How has the crisis of masculinity been linked to violence against women?

The crisis of masculinity is seen as a contributing factor to male violence against women. Many men are reported to struggle with feelings of emasculation as gender roles evolve. This includes concerns over the loss of traditional authority in the family and fears of abandonment or failure in comparison to women’s increasing social and professional success.

What is the Scotland Method, and how does it work?

The Scotland Method, developed by Patricia Scotland in the UK, is a holistic approach to addressing domestic violence and femicide. It involves the coordinated efforts of various institutions, including social services, courts, and employers. The method has led to a significant reduction in unresolved cases and femicide rates, with measurable success in countries like the UK and Spain.

What are the key features of the Scotland Method?

Key features of the Scotland Method include collaboration among government agencies, support services, and employers. It seeks to prevent domestic violence by addressing its root causes, providing resources for victims, and ensuring accountability across all sectors involved in the issue.

How effective has the Scotland Method been in reducing femicides?

The Scotland Method has shown significant effectiveness, with a 61% reduction in unresolved cases and a sharp decrease in femicide deaths. It has been adopted into law in the UK and Spain, demonstrating its potential as a model for tackling domestic violence on a large scale.

What is the current state of efforts to combat femicide in Italy?

In Italy, while there is a growing awareness of femicide, there is no comprehensive law yet in place to address it fully. Although there is a proposed bill and the country has signed the Istanbul Convention against sexual violence, a coordinated, multi-faceted approach similar to the Scotland Method has not yet been implemented.

What is the Istanbul Convention, and how does it relate to femicide?

The Istanbul Convention is an international treaty aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Italy has signed this convention, which emphasizes prevention, protection, and prosecution in cases of gender-based violence, including femicide.

Why is femicide considered a crisis of masculinity?

Femicide is linked to a crisis of masculinity because many men, facing societal changes and the evolution of gender roles, react with violence. The perceived loss of traditional power and control in relationships, compounded by women seeking equality, creates an environment where some men resort to extreme measures to reassert dominance.