“The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly accelerated the digital transformation that was already underway; however, the acceleration has not been uniform throughout the country. Southern Italy and especially some regions, like Calabria, are facing issues and, notwithstanding their efforts, are falling behind. In fact, Project Smart for Europe is concentrating on this region to help all citizens acquire the basic digital skills necessary to participate fully in the rights of Italian and European citizens and make on-line services truly universal.”
On the Agenda Digitale magazine, Giulia Melissari, a social agent and local coordinator for the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, describes Project Smart for Europe, emphasising the role of women.
“The three coaches – Maria Chiara, Annalisa and Antonella – are three high qualified young women from Reggio Calabria with a significant experience in the coordination of projects,” write Giulia. “And this, too, I believe, is an important signal, especially in a region where female employment is amongst the lowest in Italy. Only 31.3% of women work in Calabria, one woman out of every three, against an Italian average of 53.8% and a European average of 68.2% [Istat, Noi Italia 2021, Mercato del lavoro]. In a recent article published on “La Repubblica,” Linda Laura Sabbadini, Central Director for ISTAT, recommends us not to overlook the “discouragement” of those women who have stopped looking for employment, especially in the south [see “Come leggere la disoccupazione”, Dec. 6, 2021]. We wish to draw attention to this situation and propose achievable and encouraging positive models that transmit trust.”
Digital Gaps
Digital Innovation in the South Starts with Women: Project Smart for Europe in Calabria
by Giulia Melissari
Agenda Digitale, Jan. 10, 2021
