Women’s Day Italy
Women’s Right to Vote in Italy
February 1, (1945)
Number of female heads of state to date: 1
The issue concerning women’s right to vote was brought to light by the early associations of the feminist movements right after the constitution of the unified Italian State. This pathway, after changing fortunes, ceased with the uprising of fascism. Women’s suffrage in Italy was finally introduced on the 1st of February 1945 because of a due right and was achieved by women participating in the struggle for liberation from fascism. On the 2nd of June 1946, the Italian women voted for the first time for the Institutional referendum (the choice between monarchy and republic) and for the constituent Assembly. 21 women were elected and took part in the drafting of the Italian Constitution. The women elected sustained the all-levels equality principle, obtaining important results mainly in regards to labour, wage, and protection of maternity.
UN Women
Constitution of the Italian Republic 1947, as amended to 2023
> constitutions.unwomen.org/italy
Sibilla Aleramo, Rome, 1913
The Fight for Women’s Right to Vote in Italy: A Milestone in Democracy
Italy’s journey toward granting women the right to vote was a pivotal chapter in its democratic evolution. Achieving suffrage was not only a victory for women but also a significant step in the broader struggle for equality and justice in the nation.
The Long Road to Suffrage
Italian women’s suffrage did not materialize until the mid-20th century, despite efforts that dated back to the 19th century. Influenced by broader suffrage movements in Europe and the Americas, Italian activists began to organize in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, demanding political participation.
Prominent figures like Anna Maria Mozzoni and Sibilla Aleramo championed women’s rights, pushing for equality in both the legal and social spheres. Their advocacy, however, faced resistance from traditionalist and conservative factions, particularly in a country where the influence of the Catholic Church often upheld patriarchal norms.
The Turning Point: 1945 and Beyond
The turning point came during and after World War II. Italy’s involvement in the war and the collapse of Mussolini’s fascist regime created a political vacuum and an opportunity for societal reform. Women’s significant contributions during the war—whether as workers, caregivers, or members of the resistance movement—strengthened their case for suffrage.
In 1945, the Italian government issued a decree granting women the right to vote in local elections. This milestone set the stage for the historic general elections of 1946, where Italian women voted for the first time in a national election. Notably, this election also determined the fate of the Italian monarchy through a referendum, marking Italy’s transition to a republic.
Women in the Italian Parliament
The 1946 elections also saw the election of 21 women to the Constituent Assembly, a groundbreaking moment that brought female voices into the process of drafting Italy’s republican constitution. These women played a crucial role in shaping policies that promoted gender equality and expanded civil rights.
Legacy and Modern Implications
The struggle for women’s suffrage in Italy highlighted the power of collective action and the resilience of those who fought for equality. Today, women’s participation in Italian politics continues to grow, though challenges remain, such as underrepresentation in leadership roles and the persistence of gender-based discrimination.
The right to vote was not simply a political gain but a profound shift in societal values, opening the door for broader conversations about equality in all aspects of life. Italian women’s fight for suffrage remains a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of systemic barriers and an inspiration for ongoing battles for gender equality worldwide.
History of Women’s Emancipation in Italy
Mar 2, 2024 – Gender equality has always been a hot topic and a difficult one to tackle. In this article, we’d like to take a brief walk through the History of Women’s emancipation in Italy.
> lifeinitaly.com/a-brief-story-of-womens-emancipation-in-italy
Data | The female vote stems the tide of the far right in Europe and Latin America
Oct 27, 2023 – Surveys from the most recent elections in Argentina, Poland, Brazil and Spain confirm that women vote less for extreme parties, as noted by many academic studies.
> elpais.com/data-the-female-vote-stems-the-tide-of-the-far-right-in-europe-and-latin-america
Is Italy’s Meloni failing to deliver for women?
Italy’s first female prime minister is a divisive figure among feminists. She stands to gain more power after EU elections next year.
Aug 6, 2023 – Meloni’s election marked a long-overdue moment change for Italian politics. “In Italy, a taboo has been broken,” said Marina Terragni of feminists Radfem Italia, pointing to the fact that the opposition Democratic Party elected its first female leader, Elly Schlein, soon afterward.
> politico.eu/italy-giorgia-meloni-women-rights-feminism-motherhood-abortion-rights
The Italian right and feminism
Why Meloni’s victory is not a real victory
Jan 30, 2023 – But why doesn’t having Giorgia Meloni in power make me/us happy? After all, she is a woman, and as Hillary Clinton also said referring to her supposed victory: “The election of a woman as a Prime Minister in a country always represents a break with the past, and that is certainly a good thing”.
> meer.com/the-italian-right-and-feminism