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Why Italy Needs a #metoo Movement


A few nights ago I coaxed my way into having the conversation about why Italy needs a #metoo movement and why it doesn't already have one, with my boyfriend. He just confirmed everything I had already thought and gave me some more background information. Seeing as today is International Women's Day and I didn't feel like I could do a lot except wish the incredible women around me congratulations I was inspired to get this down in writing, so here we go....

The initial reaction to #metoo, when it blasted its way onto Italian new’s headlines, was contempt and cynicism. Asia Argento, an Italian actress, spoke out about her encounter with Harvey Weinstein and although widely praised in America for doing so, she was met with a wide media backlash of journalists (both men and women) calling her out and attacking her prerogative on national television.

In an unfortunate and unwitting way, Asia Argento has become the symbol of a failed movement that Italy so badly needs.

Where does it all begin?

Historically Italy has been a country renowned for its beautiful women, who have been both sexualised and objectified by International media but above all, its own country's media.

The embodiment of this sexism is, unfortunately, a man that Italy continually rewards through its elections and choice of media consumption, for a complex and, for the most part incomprehensible, reason. Silvio Berlusconi. A man who has an extensive history of sexist comments both whilst in office and out of office that are too numerous to begin to list; and a majority media holding which has broadcast inherently sexist messages to the nation from the 1980’s, if not starting before.

"As prime minister, Berlusconi popularized so-called "bunga-bunga" parties — bacchanals with minors and prostitutes — while his TV empire showcased women as desirable objects, dancing provocatively, never uttering a single word."

Quote from National Public Radio Article

Additionally, Italian politics from both the left and the right, have attacked the #metoo movement as if it jeopardises the state of social attitudes towards sexual conduct, sexual normality and the education about sex for young women. The #metoo movement is seen as a threat to a social stability between gender and generations, in Italy, that politics is not prepared to face and is otherwise content to ignore.

Combine these factors with a seemingly endless history of devout, patriarchal religious affiliation and education and the result is an ingrained set of social norms for women’s attitudes towards sex and consent, self-worth and the role that men fulfil in their lives.

Italy is a country that is run and supported by a majority older generation. A generation with a mostly traditionalist, and sometimes willingly oblivious, mindset that is so strong and so inherent it has faltered the seemingly ubiquitous power of social media. In most ways, this has blocked women’s ability to speak publicly about sexual misconduct in all forms.

Where do I fit in? Why do I get to talk?

Since moving to Italy I have had more moments, in 7 months than in the 21 years prior, when I have felt like I’m being sexualised, objectified or judged for the woman I am. Luckily, I am included in the estimated 65% of women worldwide (WHO Statistics) that have never experienced sexual violence or intimidation, however, when writing this I feel the need to justify why what I have experienced while living in Italy, should matter. But actually I don’t have to, I just deserve the right to say it has happened, as does every other woman in Italy (and worldwide who can’t).

To say the least, Italy has an almost enforced code of silence on discussing these day-to-day occurrences in the public sphere. It is either shrugged off as being invited by her or fiercely defended against as if a full-frontal assault on the social and cultural ideals that Italy carries.

How’s it changing?

This country has an incredibly educated and empowered generation of young women that are in search of a different path from their older relatives. Despite #metoo not taking hold in the public sphere, young women in Italy are developing a fearless and open attitude to discussing sexual violence, misconduct and assault within themselves. Some are taking it beyond this in-group to a more public setting such as schools, bars and protests without giving a sh*t what kind of women they’re defined to be because of it and this is where the movement starts.

On top of this, sometimes discretely feminist news works its way, insidiously, to the top of new’s headlines in Italy and ignites fierce debate, for example, the news of F1’s decision to stop the use of Grid Girls. Following this news, a deafening debate ensued for 2-3 days that was massively dominated by women in positions of power and why it matters, what it changes and why it’s long overdue.

As of now Italy’s #metoo movement is seemingly silent, being discussed in the safe spaces of quiet coffee bars and restaurants, between friends while they study or just as a one of those ‘did you hear about…?’ ‘what do you think about…?’ moments in which they realise their friend feels the same way too. But sometimes it bursts through the seams and culminates in protests or headlines with an inch of progress being taken at a time.

The #metoo movement matters and in Italy it’s well overdue, but somehow I don’t think it’s anywhere near resurgence because the resulting witch-hunt of Asia Argento became a brazen example that it is just too much for one person to face.

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