On 15 May the second Caffè Europa saw animated discussions on “Europe and Women”. The event was held at the historic Caffè Lavena, at the heart of Saint Mark’s square. Responsible for Institutional Relations of the European Parliament Office in Rome, Fabrizio Spada, moderated it.

The Head of Office of the Council of Europe in Venice, Luisella Pavan-Woolfe, provided the audience with data on employment, education, the gender pay gap, and the lack of facilities which hinder women’s participation on the labour market. Paola Nicoletta Scarpa, Responsible for the Social Protection Service and Anti-Violence Center of the City of Venice, talked about the initiatives launched by the Municipality to combat gender-based violence. The Coordinator of Veneto Welfare – Veneto Lavoro, Silvia Cavallarin, spoke of gender discriminations in the labour market and the action of the Veneto Region to deal with the problem. Vice Rector of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Caterina Carpinato, starting from the myth on the birth of Europe, sent a message of encouragement to young female students.