Meloni Government Pushes Restrictive Sex Ed Bill Amid Fury

ROME:  A deeply contentious sex education bill, fiercely championed by Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s far-right coalition, has ignited political fury across Italy. The legislation, which recently passed the lower house of parliament, is intended to curb what the ruling parties refer to as “gender ideology and the woke bubble” in schools.

Italy currently stands as one of the few European Union nations without mandatory, comprehensive sex education, despite consistent evidence that such programs are crucial for preventing violence against women and girls.

The proposed law allows for the teaching of sex education in middle schools (for children aged 11-14), but crucially, it requires explicit written parental consent. The bill bans the subject entirely in primary schools and maintains the status quo in high schools. The measure now moves to the Senate for a final vote.

The government views mandatory sex education as a threat to traditional family values. Under-secretary for Education, Rossano Sasso, made the administration’s position clear when speaking to the lower house, stating that the bill would prevent “political activists” from engaging in “political propaganda” in schools.

Sasso concluded his speech with a provocative declaration, repeating the historical Italian fascist slogan: “God, country, and family,” adding that this creed “guides our political action.” He further warned that without strict oversight, leftwing politicians would “bring drag queens and porn actors into schools” to discuss topics like “sexual fluidity and surrogate motherhood.”

The bill has drawn immediate and fierce condemnation from opposition parties, who staged protests outside parliament, arguing the law is regressive and undermines national efforts to combat sexual violence and femicide. Sara Ferrari, a politician with the centre-left Democratic party, accused the bill of “putting obstacles in the way” of schools trying to implement tools vital for combating violence against women.

Despite strong political lobbying against mandatory sex education from pro-life groups and conservative religious elements—which have stalled 34 attempts at compulsory laws since 1975—public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour. Two separate surveys this year found that 90% of students and almost 80% of parents support sex education programs in schools.