Giulia's murder 'heartbreaking' says Meloni

(see related stories) (ANSA) - ROME, NOV 18 - The news of the murder of GiuliaCecchettin is heartbreaking, Premier Giorgia Meloni said onSaturday, expressing her hope that "full light will be shed" onthe latest in a long string of femicides in Italy.
   "I have followed the updates on the case with apprehension and Ihoped for a different outcome until the last," said Meloni onFacebook of the 22-year-old student who was found dead onSaturday morning after going missing last Saturday together withher ex boyfriend Filippo Turetta.
   The 22-year-old is now being sought by investigators onsuspicion of murder.
   "The discovery of Giulia's lifeless body is heartbreaking news,"she continued.
   "We join with her family and all her loved ones in their grief.
   I hope that full light will soon be shed on this inconceivabledrama. Rest in peace," said Meloni.
   Earlier opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader EllySchlein renewed her call to Meloni to work together to preventviolence against women.
   "At least on the fight against this slaughter of women andgirls, let's put to one side political conflict and try to makethe country take a step forward," said Schlein.
   "Repression is not enough if prevention is not done," shecontinued, calling for an immediate law introducing compulsoryeducation on respect and affectivity in all schools in Italy.
   "I also appeal to the other political forces: politics on thisissue should not be limited to declarations and repeatedrituals," said Schlein.
   Her comments came after Meloni said Thursday she was seekingagreement on measures to up the fight against gender-basedviolence (GBV) after an appeal from Italian comic and actressPaola Cortellesi that she and centre-left opposition DemocraticParty (PD) leader Elly Schlein work together on the issue.
   Cortellesi's directorial debut C'è Ancora Domani (There's StillTomorrow) on violence against women picked up three awards atthe closing ceremony of the 2023 Rome Film Fest.
   The black-and-white film, telling the domestic drama of anabused housewife in post-war Rome and confronting issues ofpatriarchy and women's empowerment in the year Italian women gotto vote for the first time, got a special mention and won thespecial jury prize and the public's prize and has been a boxoffice hit in Italy. (ANSA).