More than 15,000 Italian women, including academics and scientists, have endorsed a petition attacking the "sexist policies, behaviours and discourse" of Silvio Berlusconi, a Milan academic has said. Professor Chiara Volpato, from the University of Milan-Bicocca, said that thousands of women responded to an internet appeal made in June after Italian academics urged the wives of world leaders to boycott the G8 summit to protest against the alleged antics of the Italian Prime Minister, who is embroiled in scandal over his private life. The wives of the leaders, including Sarah Brown, ignored the appeal and joined their husbands at the summit in L'Aquila. Mr Berlusconi's wife, Veronica Lario, was noticeably absent, having announced that she planned to divorce her husband after he was pictured with Noemi Letizia, a lingerie model from Naples, at her 18th birthday party in April. News of the women's petition came as several opposition MPs renewed their demand for Mr Berlusconi to appear before the Italian parliament to respond to allegations about his "encounters with young women".
More than 15,000 Italian women, including academics and scientists, have endorsed a petition attacking the "sexist policies, behaviours and discourse" of Silvio Berlusconi, a Milan academic has said.
Professor Chiara Volpato, from the University of Milan-Bicocca, said that thousands of women responded to an internet appeal made in June after Italian academics urged the wives of world leaders to boycott the G8 summit to protest against the alleged antics of the Italian Prime Minister, who is embroiled in scandal over his private life.
The wives of the leaders, including Sarah Brown, ignored the appeal and joined their husbands at the summit in L'Aquila. Mr Berlusconi's wife, Veronica Lario, was noticeably absent, having announced that she planned to divorce her husband after he was pictured with Noemi Letizia, a lingerie model from Naples, at her 18th birthday party in April.
News of the women's petition came as several opposition MPs renewed their demand for Mr Berlusconi to appear before the Italian parliament to respond to allegations about his "encounters with young women".
You may adher or express solidarity by writing an email to "appelloperledonneATgmail.com". I see no reason why women throughout the world cannot make their voices heard in all languages.
I want to again call attention to the beautiful documentary on the state of Italian women's rights and the perception of women in Italy. Since I last pointed it out an English version has been put up.
It goes without saying that the female role models in Italy were created by Berlusconi's televisions. When I attack Berlusconi's Sophonisbas I am attacking a female mindset that I abhor. There are far too many women in Italy who aspire to lapdance for the elite male caste. This is a striking involution from the Seventies when women were in the avantguard for rights here and in Europe.
Italy is a profoundly sexist society. Women throughout the world could perhaps make a difference by paying attention to this state of affairs.
