The land of high fashion – and also pound-producing pasta and pizza – is introducing a national day against body shaming.
Officially named the “Day against the Denigration of People’s Physical Appearance,” it will be observed in Italy on May 16, following its clearance of the final parliamentary hurdle on Wednesday.
The day is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers associated with denigrating people based on their appearance. The law must still be published in the official gazette.
Body shaming refers to the discrimination, insult and devaluation of people based on their physical characteristics. The phenomenon often affects overweight individuals but also targets people with other physical traits.
Italy is governed by a right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Meloni herself has previously been a victim of body shaming, according to a court.
In a heated exchange on social media a few years ago, a journalist wrote: “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. Because you are only 1.2 metres tall. I can’t even see you.”
A court fined the journalist, deeming her remarks to be physical discrimination. According to reports, Meloni is about 1.6 metres tall.