Admissions Blog - John Cabot University

International Women’s Day in JCU

Written by John Cabot University | March 10, 2016 2:27:54 PM Z

Another year, another International Women’s Day to celebrate the respect towards women’s economic, social, and political achievements. However, although we live in such a developed society, sometimes we forget the significance and importance of women in our culture. In 2016, in fact, there are still countries that do not fully recognize women’s rights.

Based on the 1908 happenings related to the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 8 the UN Day for Women’s Rights and World Peace.

Some of the major laws introduced over the last centuries to recognize the rights of Italian women are: in 1945, the Parliament introduced a decree that allowed women over 21 the right to vote; in 1970, the first divorce law was introduced; in 1978, the abortion law allowed women to interrupt the pregnancy for personal, health or conception conditions reasons; in 2010, the law on equal opportunities in the workplace was introduced.

According to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.” Unfortunately, this right is not always enforced.

John Cabot University students have the opportunity to volunteer with La Ronda della Solidarietà, in Piazza Mastai through the Community Service Program. Women represent over the 40% of the people who come to eat breakfast, and most of them are unemployed and homeless, forced to live in Roman streets.

In occasion of the International Women’s day, JCU student-volunteers handed out mimosas to the female volunteers of La Ronda and homeless women as a sign of respect and appreciation of their beings. JCU Study Abroad student, Aaron Kooris, distributed the flowers to the women waiting in line to receive breakfast, who responded with big smiles.

“Women are the real architects of society.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Cristina Di Leva
JCU Class of 2018
Communications Major
Hometown: Lavello, Italy

Learn more about participating in community service at John Cabot University.