Martina Pluda It is the first Italian woman who deals with animal protection and rights to appear in the historic Forbes ranking that every year chooses the most influential women in their activities. And so, among managers, scientists and artists selected for their leadership, resourcefulness, courage and desire to question the Milanese thirty -sixth, but always Trieste by adoption, has managed to bring a theme on which sensitivity seems to grow at all levels.
For a decade Martina has been the flag, of Advocacy campaigns Sometimes to sensitize public opinion, improve the legal protection of animals, change certain corporate practices and production chains that present ethical problems to the detriment of the environment, the community and other living beings. First for Four Paws And then for HSIworked on a political and legislative level, behind the scenes, against cruel breeding practicesagainst the production of animal fur, against the Trophy hunting of species in the process of extinction, against the Dog fights. Many fronts of a single commitment, to which the presence of little Lea has also been added from a year (which while we speak already makes his voice heard authoritatively).
What effect did you do it?
“He surprised me a lot. I don’t think I’m special. Like so many others I do the one I believe in. And I do it with passion precisely because I believe it ».
It is the first time that Forbes has rewarded animalism. In your opinion why this choice?
«It is probably the confirmation of an increased sensitivity on the theme of sustainability. I think they realized that within the speech of sustainability the question of animal welfare connected to ethics, the environment, the well -being of people and communities cannot be eliminated “.
Personally what do you think they wanted to reward her in her?
«I don’t think I am a traditional candidate: I do not work in profit, I do not bring useful, nor economic numbers, but I think it has been recognized that what we do as associations of the third sector is to be a little uncomfortable, putting our face, without fear. It is not from everyone. I think we want so much strength and courage without bending, without saying “sorry”, without saying “I want to give up” ».
On the stage of the VESAK2025, the Buddhist celebration in Milan, the great zoologist and primates scholar told his life dedicated to the study and protection of chimpanzees, their territory, of the communities that live there. Since he read Tarzan as a child to his first trip to Africa as “girl in the jungle”, until the choice to become an activist for nature. So with its foundation and the project for young people, at 91 years old, Jane Goodall tells what an indomitable spirit can do and teaches us not to lose hope
The worst moments in many years of activism?
«Dark moments are always there. Work, jobs, jobs and then the results maybe don’t come. Maybe now it’s a bit of a black moment. For example, if I think of the hunting DDL, I think: “But still?”. Once we made a protest action against the use of animal fur in fashion: we rented a hot air balloon with a maxi banner with the word “Max Mara Goes for free” (in August 2024 the announcement of the company to dispose of animal fur productions, editor’s note) and with that we flown over their plants. Digos sent us to control and to intimidate us. A simple citizen perhaps lets himself be intimidated. Instead in my case I would say no ».
Wasn’t there any time so black as to think about abandoning?
«My determination and the desire to go on have never launched. Even if the process is slow, a small step forward manages to motivate you. And then there is one community Incredible that gives you a lot of strength. There are many people who believe in you. You owe it to them and above all to animals ».
How this has changed community?
“I think it is an evolution that mainly concerns people individually. They come in a certain way and then you see that they have an evolution. At the beginning, perhaps the supporter focuses above all his dogs and cats or, if interested quite interested in conservation policies, wild animals. Then instead it slowly ago begins a path of awareness and comes to become the paladin even of the less viewed animals, those who suffer the most, in particular of those raised in certain conditions ».
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What was the moment when he decided that this was his way?
«Surely when I discovered that in Barcelona there was a master’s degree on animal law. After the master’s degree in Law and a three -year -old in law and economics at the University of Salzburg I understood that the path that was proposed to me was not what he claimed to me and I discovered that the animal right that was the one that most interested me. I found this master in Barcelona with many professionals in the sector and I made myself against that what I wanted to do was to enter an NGO and be able to beat me every day for animals and against all kinds of exploitation ».
For five years he has been led, in Italy, HSI, a small but fierce group of activists who defend the instances of animals every day especially with the institutions. What happened in these five years? What were the most important battles?
“At the beginning the presence in Italy of HSI was practically non -existent. Together with Rosa Clelia Ganzerli, responsible for fundraising, we built what is HSI in Italy, with the difficulty of making themselves known and building a little everything: base of supporters, donors, communication, relationships with the press, and with institutions and companies. We worked to create an authoritativeness and a credibility that in the end were recognized. We were good: in a short time we did many things ».
The first real success?
«The ban on the breeding of fur animals in Italy. We worked with many other associations, but the icing on the return was ours: that is, the amendment to the budget law that led to the closure of the last breeding. That amendment was born thanks to the study on the economic impact of the chain of fur animal farms in Italy which highlighted only 14 employees in 10 companies in the sector. From the report presented in Parliament, the amendment inserted in the budget law was born to compensate for these realities so that they closed. Although still today, lacking by the Ministry of Agriculture, the implementation decree authorizes the transfer of the last animals, about 500 mounds still live in the cages. They cannot be killed but not even to be transferred because the implementation decree is missing. Obviously, if another virus broke out, it could be felling much faster ».
The battles for which it is worth committing again?
“The elimination of the use of cages, now anachronistic, cruel and contrary to animal ethology. The prohibition of import and export of hunting trophies of international protected species and the project to combat fighting between dogs. But also the ban on breeding and sale of fur products. And to convince the latest fashion brands that use the fur to eliminate it ».
Future goals with Humane World for Animals, internationally recognized as a leader in the non-profit sector for the protection of animals and biodiversity?
«The first and most important for my future is to grow my daughter with the same ethical values of empathy, solidarity, kindness, compassion and ensure that she too can fight in the future for the same goals. Then continue in this route that I traced with animalism. For me it is not a job but the mission of my life. My goal is to strengthen the voice of animals and to be an increasingly authoritative and internationally respected voice also internationally. And if there was the possibility, I would like to try again to apply politically again to bring these themes to Parliament (The pluda was nominated for the European elections 2024, editor’s note). Last year it was not a bad experience. Indeed, for a political unknown as I am, the response was very positive and therefore I would do it again. Always keeping in mind that you have the privilege of being the representative of a group, because behind everything we do there is not only me, indeed without the others you do nothing. I believe that Zerocalcare said it better than everyone: “In addition to the community there is only myomania!”.
Source: Vanity Fair
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