Thousands of women rally against Berlusconi

HUNDREDS of thousands of women rallied in Rome and other cities yesterday, incensed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s sex scandal which they say has disgraced Italy.

“Women are offended. The image of our country that Berlusconi is presenting to the world is just unbearable,” said 52-year-old Roberta Nicchiarelli, attending a rally in Rome.

The protests in more than 200 towns in Italy and even some cities abroad reflect growing anger among women at the prostitution scandal that has engulfed the premier, who has long counted conservative women among his key voters.