A website publishing manipulated images of prominent Italian women, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein, has caused widespread condemnation in Italy.
The photos, paired with offensive and derogatory captions, were taken from social media profiles or public sources before being altered and shared on an Italian platform named Phica, which boasts over 700,000 users.
Female politicians from various parties, featured in the site’s "VIP section," were targeted with images captured during public events, interviews, or personal moments, such as vacations, where they were edited to emphasize body parts or imply inappropriate poses.
The controversy has reignited discussions in Italy about persistent misogyny and gender-based violence, occurring shortly after Meta shut down an Italian Facebook group called *Mia Moglie* (My Wife), where users shared private images of women without consent.
Phica, a play on slang referencing female anatomy, was established in 2005 and operated without major interference until politicians from the center-left Democratic Party (PD) announced legal action. Authorities are now reviewing the case.
Meloni, whose sister Arianna was also affected, declined to comment when approached by journalists late Wednesday, according to a report by *Corriere della Sera*.
Other well-known women whose images were misused include Paola Cortellesi, actor and director of the acclaimed film *C’è Ancora Domani* (There’s Still Tomorrow), which addresses domestic violence, and influencer Chiara Ferragni.
Valeria Campagna, a PD politician, was among the first to file a complaint, inspiring others to come forward in what some media outlets are calling "Italy’s #MeToo." A petition demanding the site's closure has surpassed 150,000 signatures.
In a Facebook post, Campagna expressed her "disgust, anger, and disappointment" after discovering her photos had been posted without permission. "Not just swimsuit photos, but images from my public and private life," she wrote. "The comments beneath them were sexist, degrading, and violent. I won’t stay silent because this isn’t just about me—it’s about our right to live free, respected, and without fear."
Her colleagues Alessia Morani, Alessandra Moretti, and Lia Quartapelle also spoke out.
Morani called the remarks under her images "unacceptable and obscene," adding, "This isn’t an isolated issue. We must confront groups of men who act with impunity despite repeated reports. These sites must be removed—enough is
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