Worldwide, a woman is killed every 10 minutes. Is there a male identity crisis behind youth femicides?

One woman killed every ten minutes , over 50,000 every year: this is the snapshot of a silent, global massacre. According to UN Women , at least 736 million women worldwide (one in three) have experienced physical or sexual violence, in 9 out of 10 cases by an intimate partner . Italy is no exception, as demonstrated by recent cases of femicide, which are shocking due to the young age of the victims and alleged perpetrators. To respond to this emergency, UN Women Italy has launched the campaign "In all the languages of the world," an awareness-raising and fundraising initiative that calls for an end to gender-based violence by promoting prevention and education.

United Nations Women is the United Nations agency that has been working for women's rights worldwide for 15 years. "As the first Italian committee, we have existed since October 2024 and are made up of women and men with diverse professional backgrounds. Our program on gender equality in particular addresses the issue of violence, understood in a broad sense," explains Loredana Grimaldi , vice president of United Nations Women. The work focuses on women's participation in economic and political leadership, on the inclusion of men with the He For She program, and on the identification of advocates including Gino Cecchettin , Alessandro Rosina , and Alessio Boni . In the autumn, there will be an event involving young people, and at the end of the year, from November 25th to early December, the large-scale international Orange the World campaign.

What kind of sensitivity do you encounter on these issues?

"There's certainly participation at many levels, but attention is somewhat fluctuating, and there's not always a strategic approach to the issue. Our vision is to try to advance, within the context of the developing world, the demands of historic programs regarding gender equality, from the Beijing Agenda to the 2030 Agenda."

Who is the “In all the languages of the world” campaign aimed at?

"It speaks to people. It's an awareness and fundraising campaign, we're reaching out to all the women and girls in the world, because no country is free from cases of violence against women."

Is violence universal but does it have different facets depending on the context?

"It doesn't have the same structure all over the world: the campaign aims to highlight the issue of violence against women in war-torn and crisis-ridden areas. Where rape is used as a weapon, where systematic violence is used, it's difficult to offer women protection and refuge, even regarding the more specific aspects of reproduction, such as high-risk pregnancies and births involving fetal distress. These are further aggravations of violence that aren't often highlighted, and we wanted to draw attention to them."

There is no war in Afghanistan, but…?

"All that's left is rubble. The situation is intolerable. There's no armed conflict, but a creeping war against women just because they are women, preventing them from engaging in any public activity, from school to work to social life. They're locked up. We work there with our local organizations, which offer assistance and financial support, education, and employment to local NGOs."

Do we forget gender violence where it is not fought?

"Unfortunately, yes. Take Sudan, where there's no window war, but where there's been a 300% increase in violence in the last two years. There are 6 million displaced women in these detention centers where all kinds of abuses take place. Rape there is systematic and is driven by ethnic elements."

The conflict is ongoing in Ukraine and the Middle East: how do women support themselves here?

In Gaza, as far as we know, 28,000 women have died since 2023, two every hour. The situation of pregnant women is also dire, with approximately 55,000 of them, while at least one in five babies is born prematurely and underweight. In Ukraine, there are 342 documented cases of violence, 104 of which were against women and girls. We support local projects, through thematic fundraisers, to provide essential goods such as sanitary pads and intimate hygiene products.

How can you contribute?

"By becoming an active participant and supporting those who support women. The funds raised are allocated to projects in crisis areas. But testimony and awareness are also needed, so these women aren't left alone."

Is gender violence a systemic problem in Italy too?

"Yes. In 2024, the Ministry of the Interior counted 96 women murdered, 69 of them at the hands of a partner or ex-partner. Femicide is a topic of discussion more frequently, and there have been some cases that have shocked public opinion: Gino Cecchettin is one of those figures who has transformed excruciating pain into a project for change, but the debate often stops at the news, and it's difficult to discuss the causes and consequences. Much work needs to be done in terms of education and prevention, and engaging young people is crucial."

How do you explain femicides among very young people?

"It's a symptom, in my opinion, of a profound existential and identity-related unease within the male gender. Old patriarchal certainties have been challenged by developments in the autonomy and freedom claimed by women, but a new male identity has not yet emerged. We want to increasingly involve men in building a healthier gender balance."