Marcellina Gilli Prize 2026
The Marcellina Gilli Prize 2026 was awarded to Eva Raffaella Desana, a lawyer and full professor of Commercial Law at the University of Turin, for her commitment to promoting gender equality and female leadership. The award is conferred by the Regional Council of Piedmont through the Regional Women's Council.[1][2]
The ceremony
The ceremony took place on Monday, 5 October 2026. It was opened by the President of the Regional Council, Davide Nicco, who stressed how the award bears witness to the decisive role of women in the growth of communities and in the development of the territory. The Council secretary Valentina Cera highlighted the symbolic value of the prize in honouring women who stand out for competence, determination and commitment. The President of the Regional Women's Council, Fulvia Pedani, recalled that the prize is intended to give visibility to women's commitment to the recognition of equal dignity and opportunities, identifying in Professor Desana an exemplary figure in this process.[1][2]
Among those attending the ceremony were regional councillors Nadia Conticelli and Vittoria Nallo, and the Regional Ombudsman for Animal Rights Paolo Guiso.[1][2]
The award winner
Born in 1971, Eva Raffaella Desana combines her academic and professional activity with ongoing work on the themes of equality and the advancement of women in decision-making roles. She is a member of the Management Committee of the University of Turin's Cirsde, represents the university on the regional «More Women on Boards and in Top Positions» Working Table, and heads the national research project on gender equality «4EGE – For an Effective Gender Equality».[1][2]
In her acceptance speech, the winner recalled some of the most important female figures from Piedmont and Italy, from Lidia Poët to Rita Levi Montalcini, highlighting the progress made in recent years in terms of female representation. In particular, she noted how the presence of women on the boards of listed companies has risen from 7.4% in 2011 to 41% today.[1][2]
The prize
Established in 2020, the Marcellina Gilli Prize is dedicated to the entrepreneur and leading figure in Piedmontese women's associations who, in the post-war period, was among the first women to run a metalworking company in Piedmont and who chaired the Regional Women's Council for three terms.[1][2]
Related articles: Consiglio regionale del Piemonte, Eva Raffaella Desana
Pages linking here
Sources
- Quotidiano Piemontese — 5 October 2026
- Eco del Chisone — 5 October 2026