Women in Italy have demanded a greater role in the country's official response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Italy has one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in Europe, with almost 30,000 fatalities.
Yet the Civil Defence's daily briefings on the crisis are chaired by men, and the group of experts advising the government does not include any women.
Women in Italy have demanded a greater role in the country's official response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Italy has one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in Europe, with almost 30,000 fatalities.
Yet the Civil Defence's daily briefings on the crisis are chaired by men, and the group of experts advising the government does not include any women.
Since the unification of Italy in the late 19th Century, the country has had 58 prime ministers - every one a man.
No woman has come close to leading this country. Female politicians in Italy have often been used either as decoration or as tokens of an equality that doesn't yet exist.
Since the unification of Italy in the late 19th Century, the country has had 58 prime ministers - every one a man.
No woman has come close to leading this country. Female politicians in Italy have often been used either as decoration or as tokens of an equality that doesn't yet exist.
Voices is part of a new IPU web series in which we interview parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position.
Voices is part of a new IPU web series in which we interview parliamentarians from around the world. The views and opinions they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the IPU’s position.
Five women are among the names floated to lead a transitional government in Italy in what some speculate could be President Sergio Mattarella’s attempt to break with tradition while the country’s politics are mired in stalemate.
Italy may not have a government yet, but it does have nearly 1,000 new legislators.
Italy may not have a government yet, but it does have nearly 1,000 new legislators.
On the evening of Italy’s March 4 general election, Tiziana Stellato will be counting ballots in the hospital where she works. But like many disgruntled Italians, she may not even vote.
What is especially distressing to Ms Stellato is the thought of Silvio Berlusconi returning to power on the back of strong female support, as has often been the case since the former prime minister — known for his retrograde, if not misogynistic, views — entered politics in 1994.
On the evening of Italy’s March 4 general election, Tiziana Stellato will be counting ballots in the hospital where she works. But like many disgruntled Italians, she may not even vote.
What is especially distressing to Ms Stellato is the thought of Silvio Berlusconi returning to power on the back of strong female support, as has often been the case since the former prime minister — known for his retrograde, if not misogynistic, views — entered politics in 1994.
"Men, enough sexism, it's 2016," the president of Italy's lower house of parliament wrote on Twitter after a newspaper published a cartoon about a female MP's thighs and a headline described the women's Olympic archery team as "chubby".
"Men, enough sexism, it's 2016," the president of Italy's lower house of parliament wrote on Twitter after a newspaper published a cartoon about a female MP's thighs and a headline described the women's Olympic archery team as "chubby".
In Rome, 37-year-old lawyer Virginia Raggia promised a new era for the city as she celebrated her victory over centre-left Democratic Party candidate Roberto Giachetti with 67% of the votes.
In Rome, 37-year-old lawyer Virginia Raggia promised a new era for the city as she celebrated her victory over centre-left Democratic Party candidate Roberto Giachetti with 67% of the votes.
