His comments came as he was speaking on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“Violence against women presents alarming numbers,” said Mattarella.
“It is an unjustified behaviour, steeped in inequality, gender and culture-based stereotypes that tolerate or minimise abuse, which also often takes place within the family.”
The president recalled that the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and fighting violence against women and domestic violence “is the first juridically binding tool to have recognised gender-based violence as a violation of human rights”.
“What has been done so far is, however, insufficient in safeguarding women, including very young ones, who continue to see their rights violated,” he went on.
“It is an emergency that continues,” said Mattarella.
Cases of stalking, domestic abuse and sexual violence against women are on the rise in Italy, according to figures released by the criminal analysis service of the central police department Monday.
In the first six months of 2024, a six per cent growth was reported in stalking cases - which affected women in 74 per cent of the reported incidents - and a 15 per cent rise in domestic abuse, concerning women in 81 per cent of cases, the survey found.
Cases of sexual violence also rose by eight per cent, according to the figures released on Monday.
In 91 per cent of instances the victims were women, of whom 28 per cent were under 18 years of age and 77 per cent were Italian citizens.
Pope Francis also contributed to public discourse on the matter, saying Monday that we must all fight together against violence against women.
“Each of us is called to oppose any form of violence against women and girls,” Francis said on X.
“We must work together to ensure that the human rights and dignity of every person are recognised.”
