Italy’s Foreign Ministry (Farnesina) and other Embassies join the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation joined the international mobilization campaign on the occasion of ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’
The Vice President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani expressed that Italy is at the forefront to promote gender equality and women’s emancipation, in particular to prevent and combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women.

This year, the theme was highlighted at the G7 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Fiuggi-Anagni. On November 25, during the meeting, a ‘red bench’ was inaugurated in memory of women victims of violence and those whose lives were lost. The Foreign Ministers present will affix a commemorative plaque at the Fiuggi Municipal Theatre, whose façade will be illuminated in orange for the occasion.

The initiative underscores Italy’s commitment, as G7 Presidency, which addressed the issue of preventing and combating violence against women and girls, particularly in conflict situations where sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war.

Additionally, at the request of Minister Tajani, the Farnesina and its foreign network are participating in this year’s ‘Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!’ campaign, promoted by UN Women. This campaign kicks off 16 days of initiatives alongside civil society, and to mark the occasion, the Farnesina was illuminated in orange on November 25.

The elimination of violence against women and support for women’s empowerment remain central pillars of Italian foreign policy and development cooperation. This is evident through Italy’s leadership in international campaigns, such as those aimed at eradicating female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages. Italy has consistently been at the forefront of these efforts and is committed to advancing women’s rights through its work within the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Italy is also a leader within the UN “Women, Peace and Security” agenda, actively promoting initiatives that encourage the full participation of women in conflict prevention and resolution. Through its specific National Action Plan, Italy has taken significant steps, including launching the Network of Women Mediators of the Mediterranean in 2017.

The recent Guidelines of Italian Cooperation on gender equality focus on strengthening the rights and opportunities of women, girls, and children. These aim to enhance Italy’s commitment through specific initiatives, including support for women’s health, maternal and child care, sexual and reproductive health, as well as programs promoting the education of girls and women.

At the request of Minister Tajani, the Farnesina honored the memory of Giulia Cecchettin, a victim of femicide on the eve of her graduation in engineering, by dedicating the ‘Invest Your Talent in Italy’ scholarship program to her. This program has specialized courses in fields such as engineering, economics, or architecture at Italian universities, along with training periods at companies in Italy.