CIMA Research Foundation, together with the University of Genoa, is organizing on April 3, at 2:30 p.m., the event LEADHERS. Women and stories of extraordinary normality.. A dialogue between author Tonia Cartolano and Civil Defense Department deputy head Titti Postiglione, one of the protagonists of the book. With moderation by CIMA Foundation President Luca Ferraris and greetings by Nicoletta Dacrema, deputy vice chancellor of the University of Genoa, the meeting is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of women’s inclusion in general, and in the field of risk reduction and civil protection activities in particular
They are scientists, entrepreneurs, musicians, executives, sportswomen: their stories branch out in the book LEADHERS. Women and stories of extraordinary normality. (Santelli Editore) by SkyTV journalist Tonia Cartolano, to which CIMA Research Foundation is dedicating an event on April 3 at the Savona Campus of the University of Genoa. Among the protagonists of these stories, in fact, one in particular is particularly dear to us because of her role in civil protection activities, with which CIMA Research Foundation works daily. She is Titti Postiglione, a geologist specializing in volcanology, who has worked for more than 20 years at the Civil Protection Department, of which she is now deputy chief. Over the years, Postiglione has managed some of Italy’s most serious emergencies, from the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake to the management of Ukrainian aid and refugees in Italy since 2022.
This is why we thought of Titti Postiglione as the guest speaker for this day dedicated to the importance of telling the story of women’s empowerment, the need to overcome once and for all prejudices and barriers, and how gender is not and should not be seen as a limitation to people’s value and skills. In dialogue with her will be the author of the book, Tonia Cartolano, with moderation by Luca Ferraris, president of CIMA Research Foundation, and opening remarks by Nicoletta Dacrema, deputy vice chancellor of the University of Genoa.
Inclusiveness towards differences, of which gender is a component, is an added value in all fields, because it allows leadership (in any field) to be enriched with diversity, skills and perspectives. Particularly, then, when it comes to civil defense, gender-related issues assume relevant roles: several studies, in fact, have shown how women are more vulnerable to disasters and climate change than men, because they are in conditions related to discrimination and patriarchal contexts. On the other hand, their involvement in – and contribution to – risk management is a key element in building more resilient societies. However, even today, civil protection is a field that sees, especially in apex roles, clear male predominance.
For these reasons, as well as respecting the rights of equal opportunity and equality, CIMA Research Foundation began in 2022 a formal and structural path that promotes gender equality, valuing women (research, technical, administrative) working in CIMA.
“Among the various goals and tasks we have given ourselves as part of our Gender Equality Plan (GEP), two in particular spurred us to organize the April meeting. In fact, we want to explore issues related to women’s empowerment not only within CIMA Research Foundation but also, in general, at the local level: hence, the desire to organize an event that was open and could also involve the local area and the university, especially female students,” says Marina Morando, program director of CIMA Research Foundation and a member of the working group that worked on the GEP. “The second task included in our plan, and which brought us to this event, is to begin to introduce the issue of gender in the context of the research topics that are most related to us, so risk reduction, civil protection and climate change. In this sense, Titti Postiglione’s story told in the book is an extremely meaningful testimony for us.”
“The path we are pursuing in CIMA Research Foundation, promoting inclusion and gender equality, is not intended to be a mere fulfillment, but a new character of CIMA: proudly to be pursued and exhibited so that it constitutes an essential part of the foundational heritage. This in awareness of the investment to be put in place and such as to fill – as expeditiously as possible – the cultural gaps that we recognize exist,” Luca Ferraris says. “This meeting goes in this direction, hoping it will also be reflective for those who attend, and inspirational for the students of the university.”
Here is all the information about the meeting and for booking