ROME: Italian President Giorgio Napolitano faced criticism on Sunday for failing to name any women to the 10-strong “wise men” panel of experts he appointed to help find a way out of the political deadlock created by last month’s election.

The group of advisers, including a former head of the constitutional court, the chief of statistics agency ISTAT, a board member of the Bank of Italy and senior politicians from the centre-right and centre-left blocs in parliament, are due to meet for the first time on Tuesday.

“It’s sad, very sad. The fact that there are 10 men and not a single woman is sad,” said former European Commissioner Emma Bonino, one of Italy’s most prominent campaigners for equal rights for women in politics.

“One thing I can say. This commission does not reflect the make-up of our society. It denies the presence of women in society, it isn’t a far-sighted choice,” she told the daily La Repubblica.

While Italy’s election failed to produce a clear result, it did yield what has been hailed as a positive change of direction in terms of a big increase in women parliamentarians to around 31 per cent from 20 per cent previously.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...