The feminist movement in Italy has its roots in the 19th century, with the first demands mainly related to education, work, and the right to vote. Growing inequalities —which began to be felt more acutely during the Fascist period—contributed to the consolidation of the feminist movement, which won important battles such as the right to vote in 1946 and the right to abortion in 1978.
March 8 was established as International Women’s Day by the United Nations in 1977 to commemorate the struggle for women’s rights and the progress made over the years. Today, feminist movements continue to fight against violence and injustices such as wage inequality and gender-based violence. Here are the most important initiatives that will take place in Rome on March 8, 2026.
Table Of Contents
International Women’s Day in Rome: demonstration on March 8 and 9, 2026
On Saturday, March 8, 2026, the Non Una Di Meno Roma movement has announced a peaceful demonstration in Rome. The march will start at 5:00 p.m. fromPiazzale Ugo La Malfa. The exact route has not yet been shared. In addition, on March 9, the movement has called for a transfeminist strike and a demonstration, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Piazzale Ostiense.
#8marzosempre initiative
Once again in 2026, admission to museums, archaeological parks, monumental complexes, castles, historic villas and gardens, and other state-owned cultural sites will be free. In addition, the Capitoline Superintendence of Civic Museums of Rome is organizing the #8marzosempre initiative from March 6 to 8, with free activities in museums and throughout the city to celebrate International Women’s Day. Historical women, female figures in art, and gender stereotypes will be explored through guided tours, itineraries, debates, and screenings.
Among the free initiatives on offer are:
Women of Italy: the protagonists of the Roman Risorgimento
A free guided itinerary on March 8 at 11 a.m. (duration 90 minutes), starting from the Garibaldi Ossuary Mausoleum on the Janiculum Hill. It recalls the crucial role of women during the Roman Risorgimento (1849-1870), focusing on patriots such as Anita Garibaldi, a Garibaldi heroine who died while fleeing the Roman Republic; Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso, a noblewoman who organized volunteer nurses in hospitals; Colomba Antonietti, who fell in battle at Porta San Pancrazio; and Giuditta Tavani Arquati, who was killed in Trastevere while inciting the revolt
Reservations requiredArtists and muses in the GAM collection
The Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Roma ( GAM) offers a guided tour that explores the role of women as creators and subjects in the works of its collection, from the late 19th century to the post-war period. It focuses on Roman artists such as Paola Grossi Gondi, a symbolist painter, and muses who inspired paintings by artists such as Antonio Mancini and Giacomo Balla, highlighting themes of emancipation and female representation.
Reservations are required at 060608.
Women in struggle: The Roman Republic of 1849
On March 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. (duration 120 minutes), a debate on gender stereotypes from prehistory to the present, linked to the Pleistocene finds at the site (200,000 years ago), with a focus on the representation of women in the Paleolithic era through fossils and virtual reconstructions of the Aniene river landscape.
Unsplash / Vonecia Carswell
Women for Women Against Violence
Women for Women Against Violence is a free immersive photographic exhibition featuring 21 large portraits by Tiziana Luxardo that tell true stories of resilience of women who have survived domestic violence or breast cancer, paired with testimonials awarded with the Camomilla Award. Open from March 9 to 13, 2026 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Nuvola in Rome (Viale Asia 25) and then until May 16 at the Palazzo dello Sport during concerts.
