Mattarella at the Quirinale: «Giving voice to female talents for a fairer Italy»

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella delivered an emotional speech at the Quirinale, in the presence of the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana, and the Vice President of the Senate Licia Ronzulli. The event, held today March 9, 2026, brought attention back to the historical and current contributions of Italian women, linking the celebration to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Republic.

A day of historical reflection and civic commitment

The ceremony at the Quirinale brought together the highest institutional offices to honor not only the present but also the path of women's emancipation traced over the last eighty years. Mattarella emphasized that celebrating March 8 means "recognizing the wealth of the presence and the leading contribution of women in society," but also reflecting on the "long and challenging road traveled by Italian women to gain spaces and rights." In a speech rich in historical references, the Head of State evoked Article 3 of the Constitution, which affirms equality between the sexes, as a pillar of this struggle.

This year, the date takes on a "special meaning" precisely for the upcoming anniversary of June 2, 1946, when women voted for the first time at the national level after the municipal elections of 1945. That suffrage, Mattarella recalled, was "a true revolution" that ended centuries of discrimination, opening a new era of equality in rights, opportunities, and responsibilities. During the two world wars and the Liberation, women had already demonstrated their crucial role, as partisan couriers and supporters of the national economy.

From the 1946 vote to legislative achievements: a path of progressive victories

Mattarella provided a detailed account of the reforms that have marked the republican history, largely the result of women's commitment in Parliament and society. After centuries in which the role of women was confined to the domestic sphere, the 1946 vote represented the "milestone" for many activists, later enshrined in the Constitution as "a fundamental right of every person." It was not a concession, but a republican duty: "to pave the way for progressive legislative achievements."

Among the milestones mentioned:

The prohibition of the exploitation of prostitution (1958).

The protection of working mothers (1971).

The reform of family law (1975), which established equality between spouses.

The abolition of the crime of honor and the reparative marriage (1981).

The law on equal opportunities, for equality in the workplace and in decision-making roles.

The law 66 of 1996 on sexual violence, a crime against the person and no longer against morality, supplemented by regulations against stalking, discrimination, and femicide.

Recent interventions to protect maternity and work-life balance.

These measures have transformed the Italian state, with a growing female presence in the judiciary, diplomacy, prefectures, universities, healthcare, and local administrations: women mayors are now "more than eight times as many as in the 1980s".

Female milestones in institutions: from Anselmi to Meloni, four decades of waiting

The president highlighted the paradoxes of history: between the first female undersecretary Angela Cingolani Guidi (1951) and the first female prime minister Tina Anselmi (1976), 25 years passed; three years later, Nilde Jotti became president of the Chamber. But to see, in rapid succession, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati in the Senate, Marta Cartabia at the Constitutional Court, Margherita Cassano at the Supreme Court, and Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, another four decades were needed.

"How many resources, how many talents have we lost!" exclaimed Mattarella, criticizing the historical confinement of women to support roles. Today, institutions provide an example, but the challenge concerns "millions of women, workers, professionals, mothers". The journey will only be complete when women are not expected to adopt "male behavior models" to be recognized.

Economy and society: investing in women for a more innovative Republic

Looking to the future, Mattarella emphasized the importance of inclusive policies: "A society that invests in women becomes fairer, stronger, more innovative, more dynamic". The economy grows with female labor, improving overall quality of life. It is necessary to promote training, leadership, support for maternity without career penalties, to reduce the wage gap, the low presence in top corporate roles, gender-based violence, and difficulties in reconciliation.

These eighty years tell "a story of the growth of the Republic and the quality of democracy," thanks to the "contribution of competence and sense of responsibility" of women. It is not about quotas, but about enhancing "all the best energies." "The Republic has given a lot to women. Women have given a lot to the Republic and the balance is still not equal."

The scourge of gender violence: educating for respect to eradicate it

A touching moment was dedicated to gender violence, "paradoxical" but necessary to address. In addition to laws and protections, it is necessary to "purify minds from a distorted mentality, fueled by age-old prejudices and culpable ignorance." Education for respect must be promoted in families, schools, and workplaces: "it is the most effective response for a society where no woman should be afraid or left alone."

Mattarella: 'Give voice to female talents for the future of Italy'

In closing, the Head of State expressed hope that the Republic "continues to give voice, space, and freedom to their talents." The celebration of March 8 is not just a memory, but a warning for action: inclusion, leadership, and equality are not options, but "fundamental factors for the future of our Italy." In an era of global challenges, Mattarella's message resonates as a call not to retreat on the rights gained, for a fairer and more prosperous nation.