Emma Bonino, veteran Italian rights activist and former minister, dies at 78
Emma Bonino, the long-time Italian politician known for championing abortion rights and gender equality, has died at the age of 78.
Emma Bonino, a prominent figure in Italy’s Radical Party, died at 78 after a career spanning five decades. Her activism began in 1974 when she sought an illegal abortion in Florence and later surrendered to police, turning a private act into a public campaign that contributed to the 1978 legalisation of abortion. The episode launched her parliamentary career, leading to repeated elections to the Italian and European legislatures.
She served as Italy’s foreign minister, European affairs minister, and held a high-profile seat as a European Commissioner in Brussels. Bonino was renowned for her relentless pursuit of gender equality, social justice and civil rights, frequently embracing controversy to promote her causes. In a 2024 interview with state broadcaster Rai, she reiterated her lifelong commitment to defending rights before they could be eroded.
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Why it matters
Bonino’s death marks the loss of a key figure who shaped Italy’s abortion law and championed gender equality.
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