Page 6 - Progetta Donna

3. FORWARD FROM THE HON. PETER MALINAUSKAS MP
PREMIER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
On behalf of all South Australians, I commend Com.It.Es. on the release of this compelling report, ‘Progetto Donna – Empowering Italian Women in South Australia’, which pays tribute to women in leadership roles across South Australia’s Italian community.
South Australia has a proud history of promoting and advancing the rights of all women and girls to participate equitably in our society. In 1894, South Australian women became the first in the world to claim both the right to vote and to stand for Parliament. The first woman elected to local government in Australia, the first Australian female Governor, and the first Australian female Prime Minister were all proud South Australians.
For all these pioneering achievements, there is unfinished work when it comes to empowering women and girls to participate across all areas of our social, political and economic life. The South Australian Government recognises the importance of unlocking the great leadership skills and potential of women and girls in our communities. We are committed to addressing areas of inequality, particularly when it comes to ensuring women are represented in positions of leadership in our organisations, workplaces, social clubs and communities.
As with other migrant communities, women of Italian ancestry have always played a pivotal role in preserving and celebrating culture, traditions, language, faith and food within their community. However, this commendable legacy of leadership and sense of community is yet to be fully reflected in the number of women serving in positions of leadership and influence within Italian clubs, associations and radio stations.
This report invites us to recognise and celebrate the magnificent achievements, experiences and skills of Italian women currently serving in leadership positions, and the generations of women who came before them. Their collective knowledge, insights and contributions to South Australia’s many cultural and religious-based Italian clubs and organisations have had a lasting, positive impact on our proud Italian community. Initiatives like Progetto Donna are fundamental to raising our awareness of the many leading roles women play in our communities, which will help us to understand how their impact can be maximised into the future.
I congratulate Com.It.Es. for undertaking this significant project and I look forward to continuing the South Australian Government’s long history of collaboration and partnership with our Italian community.
Peter Malinauskas PREMIER
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