The National Coordination of Teachers of the Discipline of Human Rights believes it is necessary to pay as much space and attention as possible in Italian schools to the Day of our Republic, which is celebrated on 2 June.
This historic date ferried a country shaken by the devastation of war and civil clashes towards a future of progress and civic evolution. For the first time, Italian citizens were able to express themselves on their future and through their vote change their own destiny and that of future generations for the better. Finally the vote belonged to everyone and from that historic vote one of the most sophisticated and modern political expressions arose: our republic. A revolutionary change concerned the introduction of the first female political candidacies, which were 226 in total: 68 on the Communist Party lists; 29 in those of the Christian Democrats; 16 in those of the Socialist Party; 14 in those of the Action Party; 8 in those of the National Democratic Union; 7 in those of the Front for the Everyman and 84 in other lists.
Among those elected (556 deputies) there were 21 women: 9 communists (Adele Bei, Nadia Gallico Spano, Nilde Iotti, Teresa Mattei, Angiola Minelli, Rita Montagnana, Teresa Noce, Elettra Pollastrini and Maria Maddalena Rossi), 9 Christian Democrats (Laura Bianchini , Elisabetta Conci, Filomena Delli Castelli, Maria De Unterrichter, Maria Federici, Angela Gotelli, Angela Maria Guidi Cingolani, Maria Nicotra and Vittoria Titomanlio), 2 socialists (Bianca Bianchi and Lina Merlin) and 1 from the Everyman Front (Ottavia Penna ).
The latter was even a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic and obtained all the votes of her political party (Everyman’s Front).
They have all contributed to changing the society and customs of a young country still to be built (https://giovani.camera.it/public/documenti/Le21donnedellaCostituente.pdf) together with their colleagues; If women today can aspire to high profile institutional positions we owe it to those representatives that the Italian people were able to select and to the courage of many women who did not give up on exercising their newly acquired right to vote. Right that allowed their turning point and that of Italy.
Today June 2nd is remembered through the reflections of a very young Calabrian student Nicholas Corrado from class 3 section. C of the Filolao scientific high school in Crotone.
“Today, 2 June, Italy celebrates Republic Day, an anniversary that invites us to reflect on the value and importance of living in a republic. But what does it really mean to be a republic and why is this model of government fundamental to our society? A republic is a form of government in which sovereignty resides with the people, and representatives are elected by citizens to administer the state according to fair and just laws.
Celebrating Republic Day means remembering and renewing the commitment to these values fundamentals. In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the republic remains a beacon of democracy, equity and participation, a model that continues to inspire and guide our collective choices. Being citizens of a republic is a responsibility and a privilege, an invitation to build a better future together for everyone.”
“…Generations are not worse, they are always the same, men do not change, they are always the same. And I have always loved young people, don’t forget that I was a very conscientious teacher. I tried to be maternal with them, good with them, the fact is that their malice is not directed towards the old but above all towards themselves: the crazy people don’t understand that politics is not a job, it’s a mission.” (Angelina Livia Merlin)
The CNDDU, starting from this last reflection, proposes the project “#UnCambiamentoAlFemminile”, in order to learn more about the history of our first political representatives, creating digital products (digital museums; presentations; interactive games) and apps dedicated to their epochal contribution .
