Il diritto a una vita libera dalla violenza | Emanuele Corn | TEDxTreviso

Quick Overview

Emanuele Corn uses personal stories, like that of poet Pablo Neruda, and legal precedents, such as the Istanbul Convention, to argue that naming and defining femicide is crucial for combating violence against women, asserting that the current legal and societal framework often fails to adequately address the severity of these crimes.

Key Points: Corn recounts the story of Pablo Neruda, who lived for 22 years in Isla Negra, Chile, and whose difficult youth experiences informed his later poetry. He references the definition of 'femicide' coined by Diana Russell: "the killing of females by males because they are females," which underscores the gendered motive behind these murders. Corn notes that the Istanbul Convention, ratified by many countries including Italy, recognizes the right of women to a life free from violence, yet this right is often not fully realized. He contrasts the legal rights granted to women and men, pointing out that the law often fails to recognize the severity of femicide, treating it merely as a crime, not a systemic issue. The speaker emphasizes that naming and defining femicide clearly allows society to move beyond treating victims as isolated cases and instead address the systemic nature of violence against women. Corn highlights that the victims' experiences, like that of his friend Valeria, often result in suffering, shame, and a lack of legal recourse that is insufficient compared to the crimes committed. The presentation urges the audience to recognize this reality and fight for structural change, rather than relying solely on existing, sometimes inadequate, legal frameworks.

Context: The presentation is part of a TEDx Treviso event themed 'Prometeo: Oltre il fuoco della conoscenza' (Prometheus: Beyond the fire of knowledge). The speaker, Prof. Emanuele Corn, a lecturer and researcher, uses narrative and legal references to discuss the concept of femicide and the necessity of precise language and legal recognition to combat violence against women, drawing parallels between historical figures like Pablo Neruda and contemporary legal standards.