All schools and universities in Italy on Tuesday (21/11) observed a minute’s silence in memory of Giulia Cecchettin, a young woman who was allegedly murdered by her possessive ex-boyfriend.
A statistics expert at one of the universities, Livia De Giovanni, said “the community in Luiss held a minute of silence at 11.00 not only to remember Giulia, the 22-year-old woman who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, but also all women victims of femicide and other violence. ”
The initiative comes after Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara called on the entire school community “to remember Giulia and all women victims of violence,” as stated in a note released by the ministry on Monday.
Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome was among those who accepted the minister’s invitation.
Protesters against violence against women (DKRT), in Rome, Saturday, November 23 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian anger peaked with Cecchettin’s death. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed to take further action against gender-based violence which this year alone has claimed the lives of more than 50 women.
The students welcomed the initiative to observe a moment of silence this Tuesday, to reflect on what happened; although many are calling for further action. Sophie Cipolletti, a 19-year-old student, said “we held a minute’s silence and remembered Giulia, but it can’t end here, it can’t end in this minute.”
The same thing was conveyed by Gloria Rossi, 20 years old, an Economics and Management student at the same campus. “Remembering victims of domestic violence, as we did this morning by holding a moment of silence together, is important. “But at the same time, it is also important to be able to defend ourselves, so that cases like this do not continue to happen and do not become the new normal.”
A number of male students agree that violence against women is a problem, and they call for a change in culture, including the mentality of men. Pasquale Paduao, a 19-year-old Political Science student at Luiss University, said “although not all men commit acts of violence, in almost all cases, it is men who kill, rape and violate women’s rights.”
Police in Germany have arrested Filippo Turetta, who had been on the run since November 11 after being seen arguing with 22-year-old Cecchetin. Turetta had carried out a physical attack, as recorded by a roadside video camera.
Cecchettin’s body, which reportedly had multiple stab wounds, was found wrapped in plastic near Lake Barcis, in Pordenone province north of Venice.
The fate of Cecchettin, who was due to graduate from campus on Thursday (23/11), has dominated the news in Italian newspapers this past week. (em/hour)