Despite efforts to combat/counter, levels of violence remain high. Italy needs to do more and to address the underlying structural causes of gender inequality and discrimination, “Most manifestations of violence are under-reported in the context of a family-oriented and patriarchal society where domestic violence is not always perceived as a crime, there is economic dependency, and there are perceptions that the state response to such complaints will not be appropriate or helpful,” Rashida Manjoo, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, (BOTTOM Photo) its causes and consequences. See Film Report – “Sex Violence: ouncil of Europe” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/sex-violence-council-of-europe/29108. Ms. Manjoo highlighted the multiple forms of violence and discrimination in both the private and public sectors faced by minority women. This is exacerbated by their civil status, whether regular or irregular, their socio-economic realities, and their lack of trust and confidence in the state system. There is a vast amount of experience and expertise in Italy in the provision of legal, social, psychological and economic assistance to victims of violence against women, and that this should not be lost in the current economic climate. “My visit focused broadly on violence against women in four spheres, including the home, the community, violence perpetrated or condoned by the state, and violence in the transnational context. I looked into the issue domestic violence, femicide, violence against women who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including Roma, Sinti and other migrant women, detained women, women with disabilities and transgendered people.” See Film Report – “Is Sexual Violence Inevitable?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/is-sexual-violence-inevitable/28641. Ms Manjoo said that there is a vast amount of experience and expertise in Italy in the provision of legal, social, psychological and economic assistance to victims of violence against women, and that this should not be lost in the current economic climate. The expert will present the findings of her mission to Italy at the June 2012 session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Link to Report - www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11785&LangID=E TOP Photo: Reese Witherspoon, Actress, and Avon Global Ambassador, addresses a press conference announcing a partnership between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and Avon Incorporated, to promote the economic empowerment for women and to end violence against women. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey - FOLLOW mo @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow at DiplomaticallyX