Roberta Vallacchi targeted by online abuse over cancer-related headscarf

Roberta Vallacchi, a regional councilor for the Democratic Party (PD) in Lombardy, has been targeted by a wave of online insults and misogynistic comments. The harassment followed a video promoting the Festa dell’Unità di Lodi, which featured a discussion on the 80th anniversary of women's suffrage.

Users on social media directed insults toward a headscarf Vallacchi was wearing, with some commenters telling her to ‘take it off’ and stating she was ‘disgusting.’ Vallacchi revealed that she wears the scarf because she is undergoing oncological therapies for her second cancer, which have caused hair loss. She stated that the insults do not intimidate her but rather motivate her to continue her commitment to women's rights.

The Democratic Party has issued a firm condemnation of the attacks, describing the online climate as a manifestation of a deeply rooted chauvinistic culture that reacts aggressively when women occupy public spaces. Pierfrancesco Majorino, the PD group leader, expressed solidarity with Vallacchi, calling the behavior unacceptable.