Throughout March and April, Siena hosted a series of impactful community events
addressing key social issues, including gender equality, women’s rights, democratic values,
and access to healthcare for asylum seekers.
On Friday, March 14 at 5:30 PM, an event was held at the Ricreatorio Pio II al Costone with
a focus on promoting gender equality in education among the asylum-seeking community in
Siena. The initiative highlighted the challenges faced by girls in countries like Pakistan –
home to many migrants living in the area – where 12 million girls are denied access to
education and only 13% of them finish high school. The event featured the collaboration of
the Malala Fund, a global organization advocating for girls’ education, which shared insights
and raised awareness about the importance of equal access to education for all. The evening
concluded at 6:15 PM with iftar, the traditional meal that breaks the daily fast during
Ramadan, providing a meaningful moment of connection between the Muslim and local
communities.
Continuing the conversation around women’s rights, an event called “The Role of Women,
Marriage, and Polygamy” took place on April 4 at the headquarters of the Nuova
Associazione Culturale Ulisse. The event featured Magistrate Ilaria Cornetti, an expert in
both criminal and civil law, who guided a thoughtful discussion on the evolving role of
women in society, with a particular focus on marriage and polygamy. Attendees had the
opportunity to reflect on how social and legal norms shape the status of women and to engage
in a broader discussion on tradition and individual rights.
Two additional events were held on April 11 and 12, as part of the MILAGRO Project, both
hosted by the Nuova Associazione Culturale Ulisse. The first, called “Democratic
Competencies”, was led by Fiora Biagi—an Italian language and culture teacher, researcher,
and an expert in second language acquisition. Biagi introduced the Council of Europe’s
framework for inclusive societies, emphasizing the importance of democratic competencies:
essential tools for active participation, promoting human rights, and fostering constructive
living in increasingly multicultural communities.
The second session, held on April 12, focused on “The Italian Healthcare System and Asylum
Seekers.” Presented by a physician Cristina Moscatelli and long-time migrant support worker
Lele Calcagnini, the event offered practical information on the right to healthcare and
guidance on how to access and book medical services.
Each of these events reflected a strong commitment to inclusion, mutual understanding, and
the empowerment of marginalized communities in Siena.
