We share the press release issued by the National Conference of Equal Opportunities Bodies in Italian Universities (Counipar) on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science:
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—established by the United Nations General Assembly under the patronage of UNESCO and celebrated annually on 11 February since 2015—the National Conference of Equal Opportunities Bodies in Italian Universities wishes to highlight the crucial contribution of feminist thought to knowledge across diverse fields, alongside its decisive role in securing full civil, political, and social rights for all women. This reflection stems directly from the legacy of our Founding Mothers (Madri Costituenti), 80 years after the recognition of women's right to vote.
The Chamber of Deputies commemorates them by documenting the months of dedication at Montecitorio by the 21 female deputies—pivotal figures in our Republican history—who painstakingly drafted and refined the Constitution article by article, leaving an indelible mark on the path toward Italian women's emancipation. Their enduring example demonstrates the transformative power of women's unity in achieving shared goals, constantly calling us to the same consistency in advocating for effective laws that improve women's conditions in our country—starting with the fight against all forms of gender-based violence, from verbal abuse to the ultimate tragedy of femicide.
Female leadership across all sectors of culture, politics, economy, and science stands as a testament to the relentless commitment of generations of women fighting for social justice and a fairer future for everyone. It underscores their fundamental and indispensable participation in a collective history from which public narratives have excluded them for too long, relegating them to the private sphere.
In particular, the female scientists honoured on 11 February have contributed significantly to the advancement of ideas by enriching every discipline through the perspective of sexual difference (pensiero della differenza). By offering an essential "oblique gaze" for innovation, they have paved the way for new epistemologies and original interpretative frameworks.
The best way to celebrate this day is to recognise women's widespread talents and expertise across all domains—bringing out of the shadows the vital historical contributions of female scientists who shaped history often without being remembered, while fully valuing those who work day by day, in every field, toward a more equitable and accessible social sustainability for all.
The Counipar Executive Committee:: www.cpouniversita.it/giornata-internazionale-delle-donne-e-delle-ragazze-nella-scienza/