Italians on Festa Della Donna

Having lived in Rome for over ten years, I have always been curious about the phenomenon of Festa della Donna or “Women’s Day”. 

My first introduction to the holiday was as a student in Rome, when I would notice that nightclubs advertised male strip-teases, free entry, and other promotions meant to entice women to go out and live it up. Later I learned that the holiday is a bit more widespread, with cards, chocolates, flowers (especially the pretty yellow mimosas), lingerie, etc etc all common gifts to be showered upon women on this special day.

Interestingly enough, as the holiday is all but ignored completely in the United States, the origin of this holiday stems from events that took place in New York in the early 1900’s when female cotton factory workers decided to strike due to their poor working conditions and low wages. This spurred solidarity among women all over the world, leading to conferences and the enactment of more favorable working conditions for women.

I decided to take a poll of Italian female friends to get their views on this holiday. Expecting kind words of female solidarity, I was truly surprised at the results! Below are pieces from the interviews I took and a bit about the women who participated.

Cecilia: 32, wife and stay-at-home mother of a 2 year old boy

“I have never celebrated this day. I’m afraid it is just a way to get women to have a girls’ night or for Desperate housewives to unite”

Anya: 37, professional working mother:

“Well, we are celebrating in a very special way – cleaning up a little poop, a little vomit, and then maybe a little walk in the park”.

Paola: 40-something, professional single:

“I don’t celebrate this overly commercialized day, but I will acknowledge the value of women within the family and in society”

Alessandra: 38, self-employed mother:

“I have never celebrated Women’s Day because I think that everything we do as women, and how we do it should be celebrated every day. That is especially true of our strength. To dedicate one day a year is just not good enough”.

Linda: Age undisclosed, artist and mother:

“I will be attending a brunch in Rome at a girlfriend’s newly renovated apartment and then going to do some sightseeing in Rome, and see a movie, not a bad way to spend the day!

Claudia: 42, accomplished athlete and single professional:

“I'm going to celebrate with a female friend having a fabulous Italian lunch by the lake in the town of Amatrice!

Last but not least, yours truly. I must say the responses to my survey have done a bit of raining on my parade. Still, I will not give up on the notion of celebrating women today. In fact, the thought of closing myself in my room, locking the doors, and inserting earplugs so not to hear my children (who will become dad’s responsibility until further notice) while I catch up on some beauty sleep sounds like a celebration indeed!

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