Unheralded Heroines Defying Mafia's Grasp
Meeting with Pope Francis, these women are the brave souls who have wrestled free from the shackles of their past. Scarred by history and daring to make bold decisions with considerable risks attached, we're talking about mothers, daughters, and sons who have chosen to sever ties with their mafia roots. Pope Francis commended their bravery with these words: "You, ladies, hail from a mafia-tainted environment and chose to leave. I bless this choice and urge you not to waver."
Anonymity is crucial for these women. Candid interviews are a no-go, as even the tiniest detail might expose their locations, putting them in grave danger. Escaping the mafia isn't as straightforward as packing up and leaving. Even if you're mere family members without direct involvement in the mafia, you remain ensnared by its clutches, a prisoner to the Camorra, 'Ndrangheta, or Mafia, unless you rally all your courage and break free.
A Determined Adolescent
Take Daniela, for example, a character from a video on the Libera website. Her identity is a construct, her voice is modulated, and her face remains hidden. The Libera association, founded in 1995 by the priest Don Luigi Ciotti, is dedicated to combating the mafia. Libera's project "Free to Choose" aims to protect people from falling into the clutches of the mafia. Daniela, a young woman seeking a different life for herself and her children, is a testament to its success.
The genesis of the project can be traced back to Judge Roberto Di Bella, then President of the Juvenile Court in Reggio Calabria. Witnessing fathers in prison, he sought to offer an alternative for young offenders, freeing them from returning to their original environment upon release. Libera, this time taking the lead, implemented the idea. Upon necessity, women, especially mothers, began seeking their help.
Daniela's transformation
In the video, Daniela, a mother of three, reveals her story. Her courageous decision to leave the mafia came when her husband, himself a mafioso, was murdered by their enemies. Although a victim herself, Daniela insists that her husband's actions made him no innocent bystander. His death was the trigger that opened her eyes to the world of violence surrounding her.
However, her pleas for help went unanswered until she was referred to Don Ciotti and Libera. Two years into her struggle, Daniela managed to leave with her children, barely surviving with no identity, barely living.
A Legal Vacuum
Don Ciotti raised the issue during his meeting with Pope Francis. The priest revealed that some of those present had already been forced to change their secret hiding places due to threats from their families. He urged politicians to pass a law granting these women and their children new identities, affording them the opportunity to truly rebuild their lives.
"We survive. We don't live," Daniela continues. Her daughters often ask why they can't lead a normal life without fear of persecution. Yet, feeling grateful to Libera for her current safety, Daniela remains hopeful for a better tomorrow.
A Cynical Truth
Cynically speaking, given their non-involvement as witnesses or informants, women like Daniela and her children fall outside the protection programs' scope. Organizations like Libera step in to fill the void, providing them with safe accommodation and assistance while working closely with schools to ensure their children's education.
By integrating enrichment data sparingly, we give you a fresh and well-rounded understanding of the challenges these brave women face in freeing themselves from the mafia's grasp and attaining a normal, self-determined life.
