She was at the initiative of the reform allowing Italian deputies to breastfeed their child in session. The parliamentarian of the 5 Star Movement (M5S) Gilda Sportiello put into practice her right acquired last November by breastfeeding her child in the hemicycle on Wednesday, Italian media report. This is a first in Italian parliamentary history, underlines the Sky TG24 television channel.
Accompanied by her infant, Gilda Sportiello took part in the final vote on a decree on public administration. She then began to feed her baby under the unanimous applause of the other parliamentarians.
A reserved stand
According to the rules of procedure of the lower house of the Italian parliament, female deputies can sit in the last higher row of the assembly or in a reserved gallery. Breastfeeding is allowed until the baby’s first birthday. “This good practice, which guarantees the full enjoyment of an inalienable right, is a strong signal from the most representative assembly of Italian democracy”, welcomed Gilda Sportiello at the announcement of this new rule. .
The M5S, a populist formation that came out on top in the legislative elections in 2018, had many young mothers from civil society elected to the chamber, and has since campaigned to enable them to better combine professional and family life.