The 8th of March is a very important anniversary for me, a wonderful commemoration that I have always celebrated by paying tribute to the female staff of all the Institutions in which I have had the privilege to work. I am happy that this year I have the opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day here, at the Foreign Ministry. To all of you, in service in Rome or abroad, I would simply like to say Thank You. A thanks that means many different things…Thank you for your extraordinary commitment, for your strength, for your great determination and for the priceless and irreplaceable contribution of ideas that you enthusiastically offer in a true spirit of teamwork.
Increasingly at centre stage on international scenarios, you are also energetically present in theatres of war, in difficult Countries, in emergency situations, under tremendous pressure, without ever failing to pitch in with your sensitivity and tenacity. To put it in a nutshell, you never forget to be Women…
And the Foreign Ministry is – and increasingly wants to be – a point of reference for the roles that you now embody and are getting ready to take on in Italy and in the world. In all the international scenarios on which Italy is present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promotes concrete actions to fight all forms of discrimination against women: there cannot be sustainable development without the full empowerment of women.
This Day represents a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your social, economic, political and cultural achievements but it is also a stimulus to continue pursuing the goal of fully realising the principle of gender equality. Men must always walk by your side along this path.
Fond wishes for your future!
Angelino Alfano
