Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1525812
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 AUGUST 2024 4 INTERVIEW Lara Dimitrijevic: 'Culture of misogyny is alive and well in Maltese society' MALTA'S misogynist culture has persisted throughout the years, despite progress and positive developments with regards to legis- lation, lawyer and activist Lara Dimitrijevic has warned. Speaking to MaltaToday around week after Malta's latest femicide victim was murdered by her ex-partner, Dimitrijevic praised Mal- ta's progress with regards to legislation, such as Malta's ratification of the Istanbul Con- vention. Despite this, the feminist activist made a distinction between legislation and enforcement, noting that legislation alone is not effective. When asked specifically about the murder of Nicolette Ghirxi, Dimitrijevic took issue with the fact that many who were discuss- ing the details of the case, made a distinction between harassment and domestic violence, explaining that harassment falls under do- mestic violence in the eyes of the law. Dimitrijevic told me that if there is one les- son to be learned from Ghirxi's murder, it's that when a former or current partner starts to show threatening behaviour, the risk of es- calation and physical violence is much high- er. She did not stutter when asked if we're liv- ing in a society where violence against wom- en is acceptable, as she noted that misogyny is alive and well in Maltese culture. Dimi- trijevic says one only needs to look at social media comments on news articles regard- ing rape, to see the normalisation of certain views against women. Following yet another femicide, lawyer and feminist activist Lara Dimitrijevic sits down with journalist Matthew Farrugia to discuss what the murder of Nicolette Ghirxi has taught people about the authorities' enforcement against domestic violence, what more needs to be done, and how misogyny is still very present in society The problem is yours and mine as well, not only the authorities'. It is a societal problem.