Subverting the normalization of violence on women's bodies: the Istanbul Convention and violence against women in Italy

Isabella Da Re

Chapter 10 in Research Handbook on Gender, Violence and Law, 2026, pp 159-174 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Although the Istanbul Convention places obligations on states to refrain from, protect against, prevent, prosecute and eradicate Violence Against Women (VAW), it remains a ubiquitous reality. This is evident in the Italian context, where high rates of, inter alia, femicide, domestic violence and sexual violence persist. Consequently, this chapter explores the perpetual occurrence of VAW through the notion of women's bodies. The perspective offered here situates women's bodies partly as constitutive of and constituting agency, as well as objects moulded and inscribed by patriarchal structures. Focusing on international human rights law, this chapter explores the framework of the Istanbul Convention, designed to protect and emancipate women's bodies from gendered violence. Subsequently, it analyzes some shortfalls of the Italian State in protecting women from embodiments of violence. It pays particular attention to the state's implementation of laws and policies, or lack thereof, regarding protection measures, investigations, education and gender stereotypes.

Keywords: Violence Against Women; Women’s Bodies; Patriarchal Structures; Istanbul Convention; Italy; Harmful Stereotypes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035319398
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