Today, Italy celebrated International Women’s Day. In Rome, at the Quirinale Palace, during the solemn ceremony marking the occasion, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, recalled that “celebrating International Women’s Day today means recognizing the richness of women’s presence and their leading contribution to society, as well as reflecting on the long and demanding path Italian women have taken to secure spaces and rights, and to make real the equality between the sexes affirmed, as has been noted, by Article 3 of the Constitution.”
The President noted that “this year’s celebration holds a special significance: in a short time, we will mark the eightieth anniversary of the Republic, born on June 2, 1946, when Italian women—called to vote after participating for the first time in the municipal elections held just a few months earlier, which restored democracy in local governments after it had been suppressed by the dictatorship—gave their decisive contribution to the construction of the new Italy.” (…) “This journey can be considered complete only when women are no longer asked, in the various spheres of society, to adopt male behavioral models in order to have their roles, abilities, and qualities recognized. Until this happens, there will continue to be a loss of values and opportunities for Italian society as a whole. These eighty years tell not only a story of emancipation, but also a story of the growth of our Republic and of the quality of our democracy. The Republic has drawn strength from the competence and sense of responsibility of women. The presence of women in the professions and in institutions is not a matter of quotas; it is the sign of a Republic that recognizes and values all of its best resources. The Republic has given much to women. Women have given much to the Republic. And the balance is not yet equal. Looking to the future, our Republic must continue to enhance the role of women by removing the obstacles that still limit their potential: the gender pay gap, the limited presence in top corporate positions, gender-based violence, and the challenges of balancing work and family life.”
“A society that invests in women becomes not only more equitable, but also stronger, more innovative, and more dynamic. All indicators show that the economy grows with women’s employment, and with it, the overall quality of life improves. Promoting policies that foster inclusion, education, and women’s leadership, and supporting motherhood without career penalties, are essential factors for the future of our Italy.”
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, delivered the formal opening address at the international conference “Donne del Mio Tempo” (Women of My Time), which featured remarks by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola (via video message), the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita, the 2021 and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Sviatlana Hieorhiyeuna Tsikhanouskaya, the Director General for Political Affairs and International Security/Deputy Secretary-General Cecilia Piccioni, the Editor-in-Chief of La Nazione and Quotidiano Nazionale Agnese Pisi, and Sister Anna Monia Alfieri, Administrator of Parochial Schools.
The Consulate General of Italy in Miami extends its best wishes to all Italian women in our jurisdiction on this International Women’s Day.
