Dozens of separated Italian fathers sporting orange wigs and large false breasts staged a protest in central Rome on Thursday to demand the same rights as separated mothers.
The demonstrators' key demand was that authorities set up a Fathers' Home, a support centre for fathers left in emotional and financial difficulty after an acrimonious divorce.
According to the Fathers' Armada association, which staged the protest, such structures already exist for women all over Italy but for men there is no equivalent.
"Italy is Colourblind: It Only Sees Pink," read one of the banners unfurled by the protesting dads, all dressed as women to underline their claim that only women have rights after divorce.
A delegation of the protestors was eventually allowed to meet Equal Opportunities Minister Barbara Pollastrini to discuss their ongoing grievances.
The fathers - wearing normal T-shirts and trousers - expressed satisfaction after what they called a "historic meeting" with the minister.
"We're happy," said spokesman Giorgio Ceccarelli, who announced that a discussion forum was soon to be set up so that the group could talk to authorities about a range of issues affecting separated dads.
"The minister has guaranteed her support for the Home which will look after fathers in emotional and economic difficulty," Ceccarelli said.
The Fathers' Armada, part of a Europe-wide association of like-minded groups, has been campaigning for the rights of separated fathers for several years.
In the past it has staged colourful demos in support of its aims, including a Batman parade around the Colosseum, wearing chastity belts at Rome airport and stripping down to boxer shorts to show how child support payments can leave them penniless.
The organisation won an important battle in January 2006 when parliament passed a law which strengthened the access and custody rights of divorced fathers and made joint custody of children the norm when parents split up.
In the past judges gave the mother sole custody of children in around 85% of cases.
