Feminicide, the brass ceiling and stereotypes in film

Word of the week from the Guardian is feminicide, coined in 2006 to indicate crimes where women were murdered simply because they were women. It's in the news because an Italian priest,  Father Piero Corsi, sent on gardening leave in December for controversial remarks about it, has returned to his post. He suggested that women increasingly share the blame for domestic and sexual violence. They exacerbate household tensions with "children left to themselves, dirty houses, cold dishes, fast food and filthy clothes". Women dress to ".. provoke the worst instincts, which end in violence or sexual abuse. They should search their consciences and ask: did we bring this on ourselves?"

Titling his post "Women and femminicidio – healthy self-criticism" did however draw attention to the problem. In Italy, one woman is murdered by a male for the crime of being female - usually for refusing sex, or for not refusing it to someone other than the killer, every three days. Around 30% of Italian women have experienced "serious domestic violence", and 3% of Italians think DV is justifiable in all circumstances. This is the worst in Europe, but the problem is global. And attitudes from the home permeate the workplace, although mainstream management texts wouldn't give you that impression.

Last week we looked at a different aspect of women and violence, the issue of women in combat roles, which was timely given the decision of the Pentagon to allow women through the "brass ceiling" onto the front line, experience of which will allow them ultimately to progress to higher command. Women have, however, been in harm's way for a number of years, working alongside infantry in ancillary roles but often called upon to fight in defence of their positions. This week, a Fox News poll came out decidedly in favour of the decision. Could it happen in Britain? Well as we review the issues, lest we think the US military is suddnely becoming gender progressive, Joe Glenton reminds us that it still has yet to prosecute many army rapists (see blog entry from 31st October 2012).

And as some cherished stereotypes are dashed, a light-hearted look at ten classic male stereotypes in film.