Not a slogan, but a direction.
On Wednesday, April 15th, I had the pleasure of participating in a rich and concrete discussion in Turin, as part of the IDASummit 2026, alongside diverse yet deeply connected voices:
– Marie Jeanne Balagizi – European Ambassador of the Réseau des femmes d’Afrique francophone – Investing in women, with women, and for women
– Nunzia Giunta – Co-founder UOMOeAMBIENTE | Progresso Sostenibile | SB | B CORP – Companies that nurture change
– Valentina Parenti and Laura Quattrocchi – GammaDonna – A new “genre” of development
– Fabio Relli – HR Administration Original Marines S.p.A. – The value of work-life balance
– Tina Twum – Wevamed – Wellness top marketing – Inclusivity as the future of beauty
– Marta Grelli – CEO Travelin | The Accessibility Makers – Accessibility as a Lever for Growth
– Patrizia Merlino – CEO of Merlino Pubblicità srl
and the valuable contribution of those who build bridges between different worlds, such as Simona Michaela Comin, Alessandra Campia, and Chiara Osnago Gadda.
A common thread ran through all the speakers: the quality of relationships as a lever for long-term impact.
In my speech, as Secretary General of UN Women Italy and Ambassador for Women in AI Italy, I reflected on a key point: digital and artificial intelligence are today the primary spaces where the future of equality is being played out.
Women are even less likely to have basic digital skills and are severely underrepresented in advanced technology sectors.
Yet, precisely because it is a space still under construction, it represents an extraordinary opportunity.
Looking at the African continent, this potential is evident:
– approximately 26% of women are involved in entrepreneurial activities,
– but only a very limited share lead tech startups.
In this scenario, the role of international cooperation is crucial, even considering what is already underway.
In the Women in AI community, the African component Women in AI Africa (WAIA) is very active, with women who can represent important role models.
The work of UN Women also focuses on connecting ecosystems, skills, and opportunities.
This message is also fully consistent with the priorities emerged from the latest Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
Connecting worlds today means creating the conditions so that no one is left behind. Because when women connect worlds, they don’t just build bridges. They build a future different from the one we are glimpsed, dominated by divisions and conflicts.
