Gilda Sportiello, the first mother deputy in the Chamber with her baby

Little Federico, son of the M5s deputy Gilda Sportiello, is the first child to enter Montecitoriotightened in a baby carrier, together with the mother.

Last November the provision of the Parliamentary Rules was introduced which allows mothers to participate in the work in the Chamber together with their babies (within their first year of age), so you can breastfeed them without going away. This was decided by the Council for the Regulations of Montecitorio, following the agenda “on the methods of participation of mother deputies in parliamentary work” in the internal budget of Montecitorio, presented by Gilda Sportiello. But, before that, in 2019, it had been Giorgia Meloni herself, who became a mother a few years ago, to propose it. Breastfeeding is dedicated to «special stations located in the last upper row of the hemicycle or in a reserved gallery».

Fellow deputies from all sides welcomed the deputy and her baby with an applause, and the chairman on duty Giorgio Mulé welcomed mother and son: «A very, very small Federico, son of my colleague Sportiello, makes his debut in the Chamber who, for the first time and with the unanimity of the groups , is in the Chamber with us. Best wishes to the honorable Sportiello and best wishes for a long, free and peaceful life to Federico».

It is an “important step”, according to Sportiello herself, “above all because it represents a precedent and a message for the country and for all women: from now on, if the highest Italian institutions allow female workers to breastfeed in the workplace, no woman, whatever her profession, can no longer be denied this right. No mother will ever have to be forced to stop breastfeeding again to get back to work. It is essential that this remains solely and exclusively a choice of the woman».

Antonio Affinita, director general of the Moige (Italian Movement of Parents), explains: «Seeing the birth rate and parenthood enter Parliament in this way is an event of great importance and auspiciousness. The hope is that this will inspire a regulatory projects that concretely support motherhood and families, to counter the falling birth rate, perhaps with transversal support between all sides. Women should not be forced to choose between being mothers or continuing to work and have a career. Encouraging the birth rate and supporting the growth and future of the new generations should be Parliament’s priority in this demographic winter. May the tax reform being examined in Parliament be an opportunity to eliminate the tax discrimination which has burdened Italian parents for decades, generating poverty and a falling birth rate».