Reflections on Women from an Italian Woman’s Perspective

Susanna Perrucchini

One of the first signs of spring is the blossoming  of Mimosa trees with their yellow, fluffy, scented little balls, so festive and beautiful. The Mimosa flower has been chosen by the U.D.I (Unione Donne Italiane , “Union of Italian Women” ) in 1946 to celebrate the first Women’s Day after the Second WW .The choice fell on the mimosa flower because it is one of the first to bloom at the beginning of march and on top of that it is inexpensive and yet so nice.

Yellow Mimosas—the symbol of International Women’s Day in Italy
Image | Florencia Galan, Unsplash

This past March 8th, I was wondering about the importance of this celebration and the role of women in the western society and all over the world. Looking at the sad figures of domestic violence , abuses, murders perpetrated by husbands, boyfriends and fathers over women, a deep, disheartening feeling hits me like a punch in the stomach.

And the pandemic made things worse, because, due to the lockdown and isolation, many women had nowhere to go and they were basically trapped at home with their own torturers.

On March 8th, 2021 , Mr. Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, started his speech from  Quirinale  ( the  President Official Residence in Rome ) by calling out loud all the twelve names of women, who were killed by their own partners since the beginning of the year:

Sharon

Victoria

Roberta

Teodora

Sonia

Piera

Luljeta

Lidia

Clara

Deborah

Rossella

Ilenia 

 
These women were killed by those who should have protected them, assassinated by those who should loved them the most .

In  2020 alone, Italy reached the abominable number of 73.

I realized well into my mature years that equal opportunities don’t apply to women ,not even in our western, apparently progressive society. Thousands of years of human evolution had not changed the chauvinism so deeply rooted in the different societies ; women ( and children) are objectified and  used as merchandise, deprived of their own basic human rights such as the right to an education, to choose maternity freely and without impositions from families and social environment, to vote, to drive a car, to be in charge of their own lives.

I always considered myself a lucky person, I had a loving family always respecting my decisions, I never knew starvation and poverty, I had access to an education and therefore to find decently or well-paid  jobs, which granted me the most tangible way to freedom: economic independence .

But despite all that, I started to have a growing feeling of anger and rebelliousness every time I noticed unfairness and injustices ( small or big ) towards women.

From the recent kidnapping and abuses of over 300  girls in Nigeria to the fact that until 1996, in Italy, rapes were considered crimes against the public moral and not against the persons.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, I know .

So how do we cope with it ? How do we ( as a collectivity) protect our daughters, girls, women ?

How do we erase chauvinism ? 

The easy and yet complex answer is one step at the time, enhancing and promoting education and positive role models among men and women, creating new laws and improving the existing ones (against rapes, murders,  stalkings, abuses of any kind), making the punishments more severe for the offenders. It is a slow process but no one can give up and everybody needs to put an effort to raise new generations of children sowing  the precious seed of respect towards women.

Having a daughter , the task is particularly important for me, but I am certain that there is an “army” of Men , who are on our side—those who don’t feel threatened  by women but appreciate their wit and spirit, those who admire their inner strengths and feel supported by them .

I once read that a society can be judged looking at how “the weakest link” is treated . For what I see, our western society is still far from treating  women fairly. What is bitterly funny is that such shortsighted and distorted vision  is not taking advantage of the endless and powerful resources of women .

Recent studies demonstrated that allowing women in underdeveloped countries to access  micro credit improved dramatically the economical and social conditions of entire villages ( as far as India, South America, and Asia). On average , women spend 90% on their income on family needs compared to only 35% of men. In other words, a more just society is a richer one and therefore is able to raise a generation of children who are allowed to have an education and reach better jobs and avoid poverty and starvation.

I want to end on a real sweet note to celebrate and champion all women.

In Italy, almost every festivity or important anniversary is associated with special dishes and desserts, and I cannot  avoid to mention “The Mimosa Cake,” created around the 1950s but becoming  popular around the ‘60s .

With the passing of time , the Torta Mimosa started to  be associated with the International Day of Women and in general with the return of spring .

Imagine to savor a slice of this soft, yellowish cake filled with cream and chocolate chips…

Buon Appetito!

Torta Mimosa, or Mimosa Cake, is the traditional way to deliciously celebrate International Women’s Day in Italy.
Image | Susanna Perrucchini