Women facing the fourth Italian mafia

In a scene reminiscent of “The Godfather,” a bloody goat’s head with a butcher’s knife was left on Judge Francesca Mariano’s doorstep, signaling the dangerous path she chose to confront the Sacra Corona Unita (SCU) , Italy’s fourth largest organized crime group.

The SCU is ingrained in the fabric of Puglia, mixing illicit activities and legitimate businesses. Local professionals, including women like Mariano and investigative journalist Marilu Mastrogiovanni, face grave risks in exposing and combating mafia operations.

Despite the constant threats, these women are not discouraged, with innovative measures such as confiscation and reallocation of mafia assets proving effective. Their relentless efforts are crucial to changing community attitudes and diminishing the influence of the mafia, even if it means living under constant police escort.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)