Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (born 23 June 1953) is an Italian judge and policy-maker. Education Giammarinaro graduated in 1975 with a doctorate in Italian Literature and Sociology from the University of Palermo, after which time she worked for several years as a high school teacher before studying law. Giammarinaro graduated with a doctorate in law from the Department of Civil Law, University of Palermo in 1986. Career History Early Judicial Work Giammarinaro first rose to prominence in Rome in 1991 where she was appointed as a Judge of the Criminal Court. In this position, she dealt with, among others, cases of manslaughter resulting from medical malpractice and violations of safety regulations in exploitative working situations, as well as with cases of domestic violence and exploitation of prostitution. As a practitioner dealing with gender-based violence, she actively participated in the national debate on the new law on sexual violence (Law No 66 of 15 February 1996 Norme contro la violenza sessuale). Italian Government In 1996, Giammarinaro was called to work for the Minister for Equal Opportunities as Head of the Legislative Office and Adviser to the Minister for Equal Opportunities. In this position, Giammarinaro provided complex substantive and legal advice to the Minister on a host of issues such as anti-discrimination legislation, living-together agreements, regulations related to the transmission of the family name, domestic and sexual violence against women, the sexual abuse of children, alternative sanctions for women and children in detention, women's access to voluntary military service, migration regulation especially regarding family reunification and civil action against discrimination. She was also tasked with providing advice on the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings, and personally oversaw the development of Italian legislation against human trafficking. Her leadership in this area was recognized early on by the Italian Government when she was appointed as Co-ordinator of the Italian Inter-ministerial Committee of Government Action against Trafficking in Women and Children, co-chaired by the Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Minister for Social Solidarity from 1997–2001. In this co-ordinating function, Giammarinaro worked with the National Antimafia Directorate, the Headquarters of the Police, the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza, with government agencies and departments, to strengthen the Italian Government's response to human trafficking, as well as to improve communication and partnership with civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations. Multi-lateral Treaty Negotiations It was during her tenure as Adviser to the Minister that Giammarinaro was