1. Delegation: The Italian Republic
Committee: World Conference on Women
Topic A: Reproductive, Sexual and Maternal Health of Women
Prepared by Michal Antonov, University of Maryland
The Italian Republic has always had a keen interest in the issue of women’s rights across the
globe, specifically the topic of women’s health. Since its adoption of the Beijing Platform for
Action in 1995, Italy has been focused on encouraging and supporting all actions that aim to
improve access and quality to appropriate health care at each stage and situation of a woman’s life.
However, there remains a number of members in the international community that have not
improved their policies and stances on this issue. Most notably, a number of these countries have
almost completely barred women from certain necessary medical services, such as abortions and
STD testing. Italy would like to ensure the implementation of actions and policies that would
contribute to the equal access of health care for women around the globe.
Since the 2001 elections the Italian Republic has set equal opportunities policies as one of the
priorities of its political agenda, and specific measures have been taken to improve women’s access
to health. The Italian Republic has also used various tools such as the United Nations Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as other
conventions and treaties to promote policy that encourage equal access to health care and provides
the appropriate services for women. For example, in March 2008 Italy became the first country in
Europe to plan a free public vaccination against HPV. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights states that, “”. Italy firmly believes that a woman’s access to health care falls under
this article. However, Italy recognizes that not all members of the international community share
the same view, and would like to work to change that. Italy believes that every woman in the world
has the right to equal access of health services, regardless of where in the world she lives.
The Italian Republic believes that a promising solution to the issue of women’s health lies
in the international adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women. While states that are legally bound to CEDAW are allowed to express reservation but
only if it does not hinder the progress of women. However, several nations have made explicit
reservations, refusing to implement CEDAW if it interferes with Sharia law or if any part of it
indicates that it could be applied legalizing abortion. Italy calls upon the importance of stressing
the fact that CEDAW coincides with the UDHR. Italy proposes that the committee draft a
resolution that encourages articles in CEDAW relating to health to be enforced in all nations and
the level of scrutiny a nation should receive for hindering any access to health. Italy also believes
that another solution to counter this problem is for the UN to interfere in health services around
the world and encourage the provision of women’s health and gender-sensitivity training to male
health professionals. Since this career field is also one that is typically male-dominated, Italy
believes that another solution is to encourage more women to enter this field with proper training.
Italy believes that this will make female patients feel safer and more informed when undergoing
health health procedures, no matter where they live.

2. Delegation: The Italian Republic
Committee: World Conference on Women
Topic B: Increasing Access to Education
Prepared by Michal Antonov, University of Maryland
The Italian Republic has made considerable progress in furthering the access to education to
women. Many specific initiatives have been taken that will give women and girls an equal
opportunity in education, especially those with economic or family problems. Italy recognizes that
several other countries have taken similar steps, however it also recognizes that there are several
areas in the world where women and girls continue to face several limitations that prevent them
from accessing an equal education. About 57 million primary-aged children out of school, and the
focus should lie in decreasing that number. However, Italy recognizes that women are more
disproportionally disadvantaged when it comes to obtaining an equal education. Italy believes that
the committee must work to eliminate this discrimination not only for child developmental reasons
but also because it will decrease the problems and dangers that many women around the world
have to constantly face.
For many years the Italian Republic has made gender equality in education one of its central
objectives, and has taken several measures to achieve this goal. Italy has achieved a full literacy
rate for girls, but it has still implemented measures to ensure equal opportunities in education.
These measures include promoting the role that teachers should play with in regards to equal
opportunity, supporting strategies that aim to encourage girls towards business and STEM-
orientated areas of studies, and ensuring that the equal representation of men and women in school
materials. Italy has also been committed to increasing the enrollment of women in higher
education, particularly in fields such as business and engineering. The same policies that are being
pushed for in primary and secondary education will also be pushed for in higher education. Italy
recognizes that by increasing access to equal education the dangers that girls could face, such as
early marriages and motherhood, significantly decrease.
The Italian Republic believes that many measures can be taken by the committee to ensure that
girls have an equal opportunity to a safe and stimulating education. One barrier that women face
in accessing education is poverty. Many schools charge fees for certain materials, and to combat
this problem the committee should continue support and expand the School Fee Abolition Initiative
to eliminate school fees. Italy also believes that the committee should recognize that other barriers
that many women face in obtaining an education include aspects of the physical and emotional
environment. The committee should support initiatives that provide schools in economically
developed areas with basic hygienic facilities to accommodate to menstruating girls as well as
restrooms that are separated by gender, which will hinder school-based violence. The committee
should also support and enforce initiatives that encourage countries to have mandatory gender-
sensitivity training for teachers and male peers, which help prevent female students from being
sexually targeted by their teachers. Initiatives should also support the equal representation of
women in classroom materials. Helping girls feel safe in their educational environment and
eliminating the costs of education will assist in increasing the number of girls enrolled in school.
Italy believes that an increase in enrollment for women and girls will not only encourage progress
in equality but will also hinder the disadvantages that many women and girls face around the world.