8 March in Italy: Free museums and transport strikes

This year, Women’s Day will be more notable than usual

Tomorrow is 8 March, International Women’s Day, and Italy is preparing for it with mixed feelings. For one, the country’s Ministry of Culture announced that all the museums will be open free of charge for women. On the other hand, public transport trade unions announced that they will hold a 24-hour general strike that is likely to disrupt daily life and cause inconveniences to many.

Solidarity can be expressed in various ways

The nationwide strike action will affect public transport networks in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities as well as regional transport services.

The strike, which coincides with International Women's Day, has been called by the COBAS, CUB and USB trade unions. The motives of the strike include demands for better pay and working conditions and denouncing workplace discrimination against women.

The strike will affect rail services provided by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, with a minimum number of trains guaranteed from 06.00-09.00 and 18.00-21.00.

In Milan the subway will run as normal on Tuesday, however, there will be disruption to ATM buses and trams from 08.45 to 15.00 and again after 18.00.

In Rome, the strike will affect ATAC bus, metro, tram and light-rail services, as well as Roma TPL bus lines, with services guaranteed up until 08.30 and from 17.00-20.00.

On a more positive note, women living in Italy, whether they are stranded by the strike or not, can use the day to visit some of the country’s rich array of museums. The Ministry of Culture has stated that the same free access will also apply to all of the public archaeological parks and cultural places in the country.

Among the venues free for women visitors on 8 March are the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, Pompeii and the Uffizi Gallery.