The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, released the following statement:
«In a sensitive moment for the life of the international community, to mark this 8th of March, allow me to address a greeting and a thought of gratitude to all the Italian women and to all the women who work in Italy and contribute to our national wellbeing.
Over the past decades, we have acquired full awareness of the fact that policies for gender equality – a right enshrined in our Constitution – have not only resulted in benefits for women but have brought benefits, wealth and positive fruits to the whole collectivity.
Indeed, the promotion of rights goes hand in hand with the civil and economic development of society. This is why we must continue to commit, with determination and foresight, to bridging the gaps – cultural, in wage, education, and career advancement – that persist in some spheres at national level.
Particular attention should continue to be focused on tackling the scourge – that is shameful and unacceptable – of violence against women. Every feminicide, every discrimination, every abuse, is an aggression against the whole of society. We must persist in the task of repressing and preventing it. However, at the same time, we must continue to pursue an educational effort, starting from the younger generations, that promotes a culture of effective equality by uprooting stereotypes, prejudice and consolidated habits. In this great battle of civilization, we need for everybody to contribute – both men and women – who are called upon to transmit, in all possible contexts, the culture of respect and scorn and disdain for discriminatory and violent words and actions.
An equal commitment should be in favour of inclusive family policies fostering free self-determination: a woman should never be placed in the dilemma of choosing between family and profession.
Women are a particularly effective vehicle of integration and peace. Allow me to convey an expression of solidarity to women who, in every part of the world, are persecuted, imprisoned and submitted to unprecedented violence. To mothers obliged to cry over their children killed in war. To the women who fight to achieve recognition of their most basic rights, from health to freedom and education.
We sympathize with their pain; we listen to their voices. The world will be a better place with the strong agency of women’s wisdom and balance.
Happy 8th of March to all! ».
