The book was released by La Stampa newspaper on Wednesday to coincide with International Women's Day.

"It is right that women should be able to express their abilities in every sphere, not only within the family, and be remunerated equally with men for equal roles, commitment and responsibilities," Francis wrote in the preface to the volume More women's leadership for a better world: Caring as an engine for our common home.

"The gaps that still exist are a grave injustice," the Pope continued.

"These gaps, together with prejudice towards women, are at the root of violence against women," he said.

Meanwhile, newly elected Democratic Party (PD) secretary Elly Schlein said on Wednesday that achieving full gender equality is a cultural as well as a legal battle.

"Much discrimination can be fought with norms that facilitate full gender equality, but significant cultural work is needed too," the PD's first female leader told SkyTg24.

"We cannot fight sexist stereotypes unless we start with a great cultural battle, acting before differences become inequalities," she added.

Elsewhere, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said true freedom is possible only if it is shared by men and women.

"The road to achieving effective equality - consisting of full rights and opportunities - is still long and still presents difficulties," he said during a ceremony at the Quirinale Palace in Rome for International Women's Day.

"But added to this is the certainty that this road must be travelled with the utmost determination and speed," the head of state continued.

"(This is) because in every part of the world, the quality of life and the very future of every society depends on the general condition of women.

"There can be no true freedom if it is not shared by women and men," he concluded.

A report published on Wednesday by the central directorate of crime police to coincide with International Women's Day said femicide attacks in Italy in 2022 rose to 125 from 119 the previous year.

Of the total, 103 women were killed by a partner or ex-partner or other family member.

Of the victims, 95 per cent were 18 or over and 78 per cent were Italian, the report said.

Stalking and abuse against women instead fell in 2022 over the previous year, while reported incidents of sexual violence increased.

The report came the day after a 35-year-old Ukrainian woman was found dead in her home in Rosarno in the southern Calabria region.

The body reportedly also showed signs of previous violence.

Her partner, also from Ukraine, has been arrested by police on suspicion of murder.

ANSA