March 8th of the policewomen of Catania: «What matters is the vocation for this job»

Women. And policewomen. If the combination no longer surprises, International Women's Day becomes an opportunity to meet some of them at the San Giuseppe La Rena police station.

Our stated intent is to probe the attitude towards service and, through them, try to make all other women understand once again how much, more than gender differences, the realization of oneself, autonomy, independence matter. And how this does not necessarily mean giving up creating a family.

Are they "super women"? They assure us they are not, even though wearing the uniform represents a precise choice for them. "It is even more valid if we consider that today women hold roles that were once only assigned to men, and we are a living example of that," emphasizes Assistant Giusy Barbagallo, serving at the Borgo Ognina police station in the Territorial Control office, thus on the patrols. "Serving in this administration - she continues - fills me with gratification and it is a service I choose every day, despite the sacrifice of balancing it with my family and my three children. Sicily has called us into action on March 8, and I believe it has become a commemoration and has never been a holiday, especially today since, like me, many female colleagues share the commitment and risks of our profession with men every day. Our profession, but not the only one, that requires a vocation otherwise it becomes difficult to perform it at its best."

For assistant Surayana Sabrina Boccaccio, of the K9 Unit of the police headquarters, "the real added value is being able to work as a team regardless of the gender to which one belongs, as we all have the same goals and a trust unparalleled is created." Those who literally do not detach from her is Ares. "He is a long-haired working German shepherd almost four years old, a dog specialized in drug detection who, besides being my work colleague with his infallible sense of smell for narcotics, is also my life companion since he lives with me. But Ares and I are just a piece of a team where balance is created and maintained because everyone has a role, and it works precisely due to the correct and constant interaction of all team elements. One cannot disregard - she concludes - maintaining the right approach with citizens in the territory, creating trust and empathy."

The chosen agent Giulia Torrisi of the Patrol Unit, despite having followed in the footsteps of her now-retired father, has "chosen to be part of the Patrol Unit, aware of the complexity of the job. Regarding women in general in the State Police, it must be said that we have integrated in every way, teamwork is the secret. I like to say that limits are made to be overcome, and if being a woman was once considered a limit, it is no longer the case. Once Oscar Wilde said, 'give women adequate opportunities and they will be capable of anything; therefore, what I feel like saying to all women who want to do this job or any other is to be strong to achieve their goals. And once achieved, immediately move on to the next one.'"