Italian Prime Minister Meloni expresses disgust following the publication of manipulated visuals depicting her and other females on an adult website

In a significant move towards women's rights, Italy's government has approved a draft law that introduces the legal definition of femicide into the country's criminal law and punishes it with life imprisonment. This decision comes after the shutdown of an internet site named 'Phica', which had been around for at least two decades but drew national attention due to its misogynistic content.

The site, which had approximately 200,000 users, displayed unauthorized photos and videos of hundreds of public figures, actresses, influencers, and ordinary women. Pictures on the site were often edited to zoom into body parts or show the women in sexual poses, and posts idealizing violence against women were common.

Among the women whose photos were posted without consent were Giorgia Meloni, Arianna Meloni, Elly Schlein, and Alessandra Moretti, who are all high-profile figures in Italian politics. Giorgia Meloni, the current Prime Minister, expressed her disgust over the incident and extended her support to all affected women. She also disapproved of the site that incites rape and violence.

Alessandra Moretti, who formally lodged a complaint with police, earlier this summer denounced a similar issue with a Facebook page called Mia Moglie, where men posted unauthorized photos of their spouses. That page, which had approximately 32,000 members, was subsequently shut down by Facebook owner Meta.

However, previous complaints have been filed against similar sites, but they continue to operate with impunity. Italian women, including ordinary workers, housewives, and top politicians, are fighting against websites displaying their photos without consent. Experts consider such websites as "the other face" of physical and sexual violence.

While this new law is a step forward in addressing the criminal aspect of the problem, the centre-left opposition stresses that it only tackles one part of the issue. They argue that the law leaves economic, educational, and cultural sources of misogyny unaddressed.

Despite these challenges, the shutdown of Phica and the approval of the femicide law mark a significant victory in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence in Italy. The fight continues, as women and activists call for a comprehensive approach to eradicate misogyny and ensure the safety and dignity of all women.

Italian Prime Minister Meloni expresses disgust following the publication of manipulated visuals depicting her and other females on an adult website