In the Words of Gino Cecchettin: It is the Responsibility of Men to Stand Up for Equality

At the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Italy has taken a historic step by adopting a law that recognises femicide as a specific crime, introducing life imprisonment for gender-motivated killings and strengthening penalties for related forms of violence. 

This milestone comes two years after the killing of 22-year-old Giulia Cecchettin, whose death deeply shocked the country and intensified public debate on how Italy confronts gender-based violence. Her father, Gino Cecchettin, has since become one of the country’s most prominent voices on prevention, calling for both legal reform and a transformation in social norms. 

Speaking as HeForShe Advocate for Italy, Gino Cecchettin has consistently underscored that legislative progress must be matched by cultural change. His advocacy reflects a conviction that preventing violence begins not only in courtrooms but in homes, schools, and online spaces where misogyny and harmful masculinities can take root.

His advocacy has been a defining voice in the national conversation that followed Giulia’s killing, reminding the country that prevention begins long before violence occurs. Through his work with the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation, he has consistently highlighted the need for men to play an active role in challenging misogyny, online hate and patterns of control that underpin femicide.

“We men have a clear responsibility in driving this change. We cannot simply stand by and watch: we must recognize and challenge misogyny, hate, and models of masculinity circulating online. Being part of the solution means educating younger generations, taking responsibility for our words and actions, and promoting a model of masculinity grounded in respect and equity.”

For many across Italy, the new femicide law is seen as a response to the urgency that Cecchettin and countless women’s rights advocates have raised: that societies must confront gender-based violence with both stronger protections and deeper prevention efforts. By recognising femicide as a distinct crime, Italy signals its commitment to addressing the patterns underlying these killings — including coercion, control, misogyny, and the digital ecosystems that can fuel them.

With the adoption of the femicide law, Italy signals its intention to address both the legal and social roots of gender-based violence. Yet Cecchettin continues to remind the public that legal reform must be paired with collective responsibility. His message remains clear: equality and safety must be daily commitments, and preventing violence demands both strong laws and a culture that rejects silence, hate, and domination in all forms.

“Being a HeForShe Advocate for me is a clear responsibility. It means transforming a personal experience of pain into a concrete commitment to change, putting my voice at the service of this message: equality is not only about women, it concerns us all. My role is to show that men can and must take an active part, choosing every day to promote respect, equity, and relationships free from violence. To be HeForShe means believing in a masculinity built on respect and solidarity, and working so that future generations can grow up in a more just and safer society.”

Through his advocacy, Gino Cecchettin has shown that allyship is not a statement but a practice: the daily decision to stand up for equality, challenge harmful norms and use one’s voice to build a safer future for all.

Earlier this year, UN Women Italy launched its new HeForShe National Chapter with Gino Cecchettin  recognised for his commitment to inclusion and for championing efforts to address gender-based violence. At this launch, he was announced as a HeForShe Advocate for Italy, further underscoring the leadership role he has taken in advancing gender equality and standing firmly against violence in all its forms.