Part 6/11:
Along with coerced motherhood, Mussolini constricted women's bodily autonomy by criminalizing contraception and abortion. Women found seeking these services faced severe penalties, often leading to dangerous and illegal procedures. The regime went so far as to mandate medical examinations for women deemed “fit” for childbearing, further pushing them towards early marriage and motherhood.
Mussolini's disdain for working women was evident, with policies targeting their employment opportunities. In 1933, legislation limited women to 10% of public administration jobs, a clear attack on educated women. This was later expanded to the private sector in 1938, further squeezing women out of the workforce, justifying these measures by claiming economic reasons.