Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Republic of Italy/
Repubblica Italiana (Female suffrage 1945) A number of petty states was united as a
kingdom 1870 and became a republic 1946
Also see Italy Parliament
1951-53
Undersecretary of
Industry and Trade Angela Maria Guidi Cingolani
Christian Democratic Member of the Consultative Council 1945 and MP 1948-53. She
lived
(1896-1991)
1954-59 Undersecretary of Education Maria de Unterrichter Iervolino
1963 Undersecretary of Health
Christian Democratic Member of the Constituent Assembly 1946 and MP 1948-63.
Mother of Rosa Rosso Iervolino, a former Minister. She lived
(1902-75)
1958-59 High Commissioner
for Health Angela Gotelli
1959-60 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Security
Christian Democrat MP 1959-63, and lived (1905-96)
1959-63 and 1966-68 Undersecretary of Education
Maria Badaloni
Christian Democrat MP 1958-72 and lived
(1903-94)
1963-68 Undersecretary of
Industry and Commerce Maria Vittoria Mezza
1970-72 Undersecretary of Health
Socialist MP 1963-68, and lived
(1926-2005)
1968-70 Undersecretary of Industry, Commerce and Artisans Emanuela Savio
Christian Democrat MP 1968-72, and lived
(1916-89)
1972-73 Undersecretary of Education
Non-political member of the government.
(b. 1916-...)
1969-72 Undersecretary of
Health Maria Pia Dal Canton
Senator.
(b. 1912-)
1970-72 Undersecretary of Education Elena Gatti Caporaso
Senator.
(b. 1918-)
1974-76 Undersecretary of
Social Affairs and Labour Tina Anselmi
1976-78 Minister of Labour and Social Security
1978-79 Minister of Health
Active in the resistance movement during World War II. Leading member of the
Christian Democrats. When the Parliament elected the state President in 1992,
she was one of the three female candidate of a total of 42. (b. 1927- )
1976-79 Undersecretary of Education Dr. Franca Falcucci
1979-87 Minister of Education
Senator and Political Vice-President of Parttio Democratico Cristiano
1975-76. (b. 1926-
)
1978-79 Undersecretary by
the President of the Council of Ministers in charge of Women's Affairs Ines
Boffardi
Christian Democrat MP 1976-83 and Senator afterwards. Secretary of the Senate 1983-87. (b. 1919-)
1979-80 Undersecretary of Health Prof Vittoria Quarenghi
Christian Democrat MP 1979-83 and lived
(1934-84)
1980-81 Undersecretary of
Industry, Commerce and Artisans Maria Magnani Noya
1981-83 Undersecretary of Health
Former Socialist MP,
Vice-President of the European Parliament
1989-95. (b. 1931-)
1980-82 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Roberta Palleschi
1980-82 Undersecretary of the Interior Angela Maria Sanza
1983-91 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Susanna Agnelli
1995-96 Minister of Foreign Affairs (Second in the Cabinet)
1996 President of the Europan Union Council of Ministers (1.1.-18.5.96)
In 1995-96 Member of the EU-Troyka of Foreign Ministers, formerly Married to
Count Urbano Rattazzi and the mother
of 6 children. She lived (1922-2009)
1983-86 Undersecretary of
Social Affairs Paola Caviglasso
1987 Undersecretary of Cultural Heritage and Environment
1987-89 Minister for without portfolio for Special Affairs Rosa Russo Iervolino
1989-92 Minister without Portfolio for Social Affairs
1992-94 Minister of Education
1998-99 Minister of the Interior and Minister in Charge of Co-ordination of the
Civil Defence
In 1992-94 Secretary of the Partito della Democrazia Cristiana, DC, 1994-circa 96
President of the Partito Populare Italiana afterwards vice-President. In 1999
her party nominated her as candidate for the post of President, another
candidate was Emma Bonino, European Union Commissioner and former leader of the
Radical Party and Mayor of Napoli 2001-11. (b. 1936-)
1987-89 Undersecretary of
Environment Anna Gabriella Ceccatelli
Senator.
(b. 1927)
1987-88 Undersecretary of
Health Annamaria Nucci Mauro
(b. 1943-)
1987-92 Undersecretary of
Health Elena Marinucci Mariani
Senator
(b. 1928-)
1988 Minister of Culture
and Environment Vincenza Bono Parrino
Christian Democrat MP 1987-92.
(b. 1942-)
1988-92 Undersecretary of
Health Maria Pia Garavaglia
1993-94 Minister of Health
(b. 1947-)
1989-92 Undersecretary of
Education Laura Fincato
1993-94 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs
IParliamentary Leader of Partito Socialista Italiana
1989-92. (b. 1950-)
1991-92 Minister without
Portfolio for Minister for Italians Abroad and for
Immigration Margherita Bonivier
1992-93 Minister for Tourism and the Entertainment
Industry
2001-06 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs
Senator for the Italian
Socialist Party from
1980-87 and was Deputy Chairperson of the Senate Foreign
Affairs Committee and member of the Council of Europe, of the parliamentary
assembly of NATO, 1987-92 Member of Chamber of Deputies and was again Deputy
Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, 1987-89 Member of the European
Parliament, from 1992 Senator. In 1999 she joined the rightwing Forza Italia
and has been
Vice President of Forza Italia's group from 2006. (b. 1938-)
1992-94 Undersecretary of Justice Daniella Mazzucconi
1992-93 Undersecretary of Universities Rossella Artioni
1993-94 Undersecretary of Industry, Commerce and Artisans (Senator)
(b. 1944-)
1992-93 Secretary General
of The Premier Minister Fernanda Contri Bruzzone
1993-94 Minister without Portfolio for
Social Affairs (Senator)
(b. 1935- )
1993-94 Undersecretary of Post and Telecommunication Ombretta Fumagali Carulli
1994-95 Undersecretary by Premier Minister for Civil Protection
1999-2000 Undersecretary of Internal Affairs
2000-01 Undersecretary of Health
In 1996-97 Secretary of the Cámara Group of Federazione Cristiano Democratica,
1997- President of the Senate Group of the Rinnoravento Italiano e Indipendenti.
(b. 1944-)
1993-94 Undersecretary of
Universities, Scientific Research and Technology Silvia Costa
(b. 1949-)
1994 Minister without
Portfolio for Agricultral Resources, Food and Forests Adriana Poli Bartore
MP for Allianza Nazionale, the Post-fascist party. Member of the European
Parliament since 1999. (1943-)
1994 Undersecretary of the
Interior Mariana Li Calzi
1998-2001 Undersecretary of Justice
8b. 1949-)
1994 Undersecretary of
Public Works S. Aimone Prina
1994 Undersecretary of
Recearch and Universities G. Meo Zilio
1994 Undersecretary of
Education Marienella Mazzeto
(b. 1943-)
1994 Undersecretary of the
Treasury Marisa Bedoni
(b. 1944-)
1995-96 Undersecretary of Education Etheldera Porzio Serravalle
1995-96 Undersecretary of Labour Matelda Grassi
(b. 1936-)
1995-96 Undersecretary of
Culture and Sights Carla Guiducci Bonanni
1996-2000 Minister of
Health Dr. Rosy
Bindi
2006-08 Minister without Portfolio for
Family Affairs
Formerly among the leaders of the
Christian Democrats, 1993 Co-promoter and Leader of Partito Populare Italiano
and 2007 she came in second in the leadership elections for the new centre-left
Democratic Party, Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies 2008-13,
President of Partito Democratico 2009-13
and Presidential Candidate in 2013.
Rosy is short for Roserio.
(b. 1951- )
1996-2001 Minister without Portfolio of Social Solidarity and Family Livia Turco
2006-08 Minister of Health
In 1986-96 National Secretary of Partito Comminesta de Italia for Women’s
Affairs. (b. 1955-)
1996-98 Minister without
Portfolio of Equality Anna Finocchiaro Fidebelo
2016- Minister for Relations with the Parliament
Deputy Parliamentary Leader of Partito dei Sinistra, PdS, Party of
the Left (Ex-communists)
1992-94 and
President of the Senate Group of Partito Democratico-L'Ulivo 2006-13,
Candidate for the post of President of the Region of Sicilia in 2008 and
Presidential Candidate in 2013.
(b. 1955-)
1996-99 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Dr. Patrízia Toia
1999-2000 Minister without Portfolio for The European Union
2000-01 Minister without Portfolio for Relations with the Parliament
Between 1985-95 Regional Councillor and Member of the Regional Government for
Health and Budget of Lombardia. (b. 1950-)
1996-99 Undersecretary of Interior and Civil Protection Adriana Vigneri
1999-2000 Undersecretary of Cultural Assets and Activities (Sport)
(b. 1939-)
1996-99 Undersecretary of Finance, Taxes and Budget Dr. Laura Maria Pennacchi
Since 1994 Party Secretary of Partito dei Sinistra in charge of Reform. (b.
1948-)
1996-98 Undersecretary of
Labour and Social Security Elena Montecchi
1998-2001 Undersecretary of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (Premier
Minister)
In 1987-94 Secretary and 1994-96 Questore della Cámara dei Dibutati. 2000-2001
in Charge of Relations with the Parliament. Since 2001 Vice-President of the
Parliament Group of Democartici di sinistra l’Ulivio. (b. 1954-)
1996-98 Undersecretary of
Education and Universities Dr. Albertina Soliani
(b. 1944-)
1996-98 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Security Dr. Fedrica Rossi Gasparini
(b. 1937-)
1998-2001 Minister of
Cultural Assets and Activities (Sport) Dr. Giovanna Melandri
2006-08 Minister without Portfolio for
Youth and Sports
Her first child, Magdalena, was born one month before she became minister at
20.10.98. (b. 1962-)
1998-2000 Minister without
Portfolio for Equal Opportunity Dr. Laura Balbo
Member of Parliament 1983-91. (b. 1933-)
1998-2000 Minister without
Portfolio for Regional Affairs Dr. Katia Befillo
2000-01 Minister without Portfolio for Equal Opportunity
Between 1980-95 Vice-President of the Assembly, 1995- Vice-President of the
Province of Pergua in charge of Social Affairs, Health, Culture and Education.
In Italy’s 56th government 6 of 25 Ministers were female. (b. 1953-)
1998-2001 Undersecretary of
Treasury Laura Maria Pennachi
(b. 1948-)
1998-99 Undersecretary of Justice and Grace Maretta Scoca
1999-2000 Undersecretary of Cultural Assets and Activities (Sport)
(b. 1938-)
1998-2000 Undersecretary of Health Dr. Monica Bettoni Brandani
(b. 1950-)
1998-2001 Undersecretary of Education and Universities Carla Rocchi
Former Secretary of the Senate Group of the Federazione dei Verdi, Green
Federation. (b. 1950-)
1998-2000 Undersecretary of
Education and Universities Dr. Nadia Masini
(b. 1949-)
1998-99 Undersecretary of
Labour and Social Protection Bianca Maria Fiorillo
(b. 1956-) In Italy’s 56th government (1998-99) 10 of 56 Undersecretaries were
female.
1999-2000 Undersecretary of
External Trade Silvia Babieri
2000 Undersecretary of Public Education
1999-2000 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Protection Rosario Olivio
In the 57th government there were 11 female undersecretaries.
2000-01 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Protection Ornella Piloni
2000-01 Undersecretary of
Health Grazia Labate
In the 58th government there were 7 female undersecretaries of a total of 54.
2001-06 Minister of
Education, Universitites and Scientific Research Letizia Brichetto
Arnaboldi Moratti
Letizia Moratti had leading positions in the banking world before
becoming President of
the state television Rai 1994-96 and MP afterwards. In the 59th government
there were 2 of the 25 ministers were women. She was Mayor of Milano 2006-11. Mother of two children and is (b. 1949-)
2001-06 Minister
without Portfolio for Equal Opportunites Stefania Prestigiacomo
2008-11 Minister of Environment, Territorial Planning and the Sea
MP since 1994 and 1998-2001 Vice-chairperson of the parliament-group of Forza
Italia. (b. 1966-)
2001-06
Undersecretary of
Economy and Finance Maria Teresa Armosino
In Italy’s 59th government 6 undersecretaries of 60 and none of the 7
vice-ministers were women.
2001-06 Undersecretary of Justice and Grace
2013- Undersecretary of State of Labour and Social Policies
for Welfare
Also known as
Iole Santelli. (b. 1968-)
2001-06 Undersecretary of Education, Universities and Scientific Research Maria Grazia Siliquini
2001-06
Undersecretary of Labour and Social Policy Grazia Sestini
2008-11
Undersecretary of Justice
Former Senator and MP from 2008. (b. 1946-).
2006-08 Minister without Portfolio for Regional
Affairs and Local Autonomies Linda Lanzillotta
(b. 1958-).
2006-08 Minister without Portfolio for Equal Opportunities Barabara Pollastrini
(b. 1947-).
2006-08 Minister of International Trade and
Minister without Portfolio for European
Affairs Emma Bonino
2013-14 Minister of Foreign Affairs (Third in the Cabinet)
Secretary of the Parliament Group of Partito Radicale 1976-78,
Group Vice-President 1979, Party President 1991-93 and Party Leader 1993-95,
European
Union
Commissioner
for Fisheries,
Consumer Policy and the
European Community Humanitarian Office 1995-99,
Presidential Candidate 1999 and 2013, Leader of La Rosa nel Pugno
from
2005 and Vice-President of the Senate 2008-13(b. 1948-)
2006-08 Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Patrizia
Sentinelli
Former Municipal Councillor of Rome and National Secretary of Partito della Rifondazione Comunista since 2002.
(b. 1949-).
2006-08 Vice-Minister of Education Mariangela Bastico
Regional Councillor for Partito Democratico della Sinistra in Emilia-Romagna
since 1995 and Commissioner of Education 2000-05. (b. 1951-).
2006-08 Undersecretary of Interior for Immigration Marcella Lucidi
MP for various parites (latest Democratici di Sinistra) 1998-2006. Candidate for
the Senate in 2006. Married and mother of a child in 2003. (b. 1963-).
2006-08 Undersecretary of Justice Daniela Melchiorre
2011 Undersecretary of State of Economic Development
President of Liberal
Democratici since 2008.
2006-08 Undersecretary of Social Solidarity Franca Donaggio
(b. 1947-).
2006-08 Undersecretary of Social Solidarity Cristina De Luca
2006-08 Undersecretary of Environment and Territorial Planning Laura Marchetti
2006-08 Undersecretary of Reform and Innovation of the Public Administration Beatrice Magnolfi
2006-08 Undersecretary of Equal Opportunities Donatella Linguiti
2006-08 Undersecretary of Family Affairs Chiara Acciarini
2006-08 Undersecretary of Cultural Affairs and Turism Elena Montecchi
2006-08 Undersecretary of Cultural Affairs and Turism Danielle Mazzonis
2006-08 Undersecretary of Education Letizia De Torre
2006-08 Undersecretary of Labour Rosa Rinaldi
2008-11 Minister of Schools and
Universities Maria Stella Gelmini
Provincial Councillor from 2005 and Forza Italia MP from 2006.
2008-11 Minister without Portfolio of Youth Affairs Giorgia Meloni
Elected City Councillor in Rome in 1998 for the National Alliance,
Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies 2006-08. (b. 1977-).
2008-11 Minister without Portfolio
for Equal Opportunities Mara Carfagna
Forza Italia MP from 2006. (b. 1975-).
2008-09 Undersecretary by the President of the Council of Ministers in charge of
Tourism Michela Vittoria Brambilla
2009-11 Minister of Tourism
2008-11 Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Stefania Gabriella Anastasia Craxi
MP from 2008.
Daughter of the former Prime Minister Benito Craxi. (b. 1960-).
2008-09 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Security Eugenia
Maria Roccella
2010-11 Undersecretary of Health
MP from 2008 (b. 1953-).
2008-09 Undersecretary of Labour and Social Security
2010-11 Undersecretary of Health
2010-11 Undersecretary of Economy and Finance Sonia Viale
2011 Minister without portfolio for European Affairs Anna Maria Bernini
2011 Deputy Minister of Economic Development for International Trade
Catia Polidori
2013-14 Minister of
Justice
Since 1994 she held office
as Prefect of Vicenza, Bergamo, Brescia, Catania and Genova, and appointed
Commissioner of Bologna 2010-11 and Commissioner of Parma in 2011 after both
mayors resigned after charges of corruption. Presidential Candidate in 2013. (b. 1944-)
2011-13
Minister of Justice Paola Severino
Law Professor, former Judge,
Vice-President of the Military of Magistrature 1997-2002 and later
Vice-Rector of the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali in
Rome and Presidential Candidate in 2013. (b. 1948-)
2011-13 Minister of Labour, Social Policies and Equal
Opportunities Elsa Fornero
Professor of Economics at the Faculty of
Economics of the University of Torino
2013 Vice-Minister
of Foreign Affairs
2013-14 Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Policies
2013-14
In Charge of the Minstry of Equality
Elected Democratic Senator in 2013.
2013-14 Minister Agricultural Policies, Foods and Foresty Nunzia De Girolamo
Elected
MP in 2008 for the party lead by Berlusconi until 2013, the People of
Freedom, Il Popolo della Libertà, PdL for Berlusconi's Party. (b. 1975-)
2013-14 Minister of Education, Universities and Research Maria
Chiara Carrozza
MP for the Democratic Party from 2013 (b. 1965-)
2013- Minister of Health Beatrice Lorenzin
MP for PdL from 2013. (b. 1971-)
2013-14 Minister without Portfolio for Integration Cécile Kyenge Kashetu
MP for the Democratic Party from 2013. Of Congolese origin. (b. 1964-)
2013 Minister without Portfolio
for Equal Opportunities, Sport and Youth Josefa Idem
Senator for the
Democratic Party since 2013. Won Olympic Gold Medals as a sprint canoer
first for Western Germany and afterwards for Italy. (b. 1964-)
2013-14 Undersecretary of State at the Presidency of the Council of
Ministers for Relations with the Parliament and Coordination of Government
Policies
2014- Undersecretary of State of Reforms and Relations with the
Parliament Sesa Amici
Teresa Maria Amici was elected Democratic MP 1994-96 and from 2006 and chair
of the Parliamentary Group in 2013.
2013-14 Undersecretary of State at the Presidency
of the Council of Ministers for Relations with the Parliament and
Coordination of Government Policies Sabrina De Camillis
Elected MP for
PdL in 2008.
2014- Minister of Defence
Former Provincial Councillor, MP for the
Democratic Party and Chair of the Defence Committee and elected Senator in
2008 and was Vice-Chair of the Senate Defence Committee. (b. 1961-).
2013-14
Undersecretary of State of Economic Affairs Simona Vicari
2014-16
Undersecretary of State of Economic
Development
2016- Undersecretary of State of Infrastructure and Transport
Elected Senator for PdL in 2008 and Vice-Chair of the
Senate Group in 2013.
2013- Undersecretary of State of Culture Ilaria Borletti Dell'Acqua
Buitoniu
2013-14 Undersecretary of State of
2014- Undersecretary of Sate of Cultural Heritage and Activities
and Tourism
2013 Undersecretary of State at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for
Equality, Sports and Youth Micaela Biancofiore
2013 Undersecretary of
State at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers for Public
Administration and Simplification
A member of PdL she resigned as Equality Vice-Minister after one day in office after
homophobic remarks and was moved to another portfolio.
2014
Chairperson of the Council of General Affairs of the European Union
2014
Vice-President of the EU-Commission and High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security
MP for PD from
2008. (b. 1973-)
President of a regional branch of the business federation. (b. 1966-)
2016- Undersecretary of State at the Presidency
of the Council of Ministers
MP for Pd (b. 1980-)
2014-16 Minister of
Education and Research
Senator for Scelta Civica. (b. 1970-)
2014- Minister of Public Administration and Simplification
MP for Pd (1980-).
2014-15 Minister of Regional Affairs
MP for Pd (b. 1955-)
2014- Undersecretary of State of Environment Silvia Velo
2014-Undersecretary of State of Environment Barbara Degani
2014- Undersecretary of State of Environment Education, Universities and Research Angela D'Onghia
2014-16 Undersecretary of State of Labour Teresa Bellanova
2016 Underecretary
of State of Economic Development
2016- Vice-Minister of Economic
Development
2014- Undersecretary of State of Labour Franca Biondelli
2014-16 Undersecretary of State of Cultural Heritage and Activities and
Tourism Francesca Barracci
2016- Minister of Education and Research Valeria Fedeli
First
Vice-President of the Senate 2013-16