Pope Francis’ push for reform has seen more women administrating the Vatican, though they are mainly behind the scenes.
In this photograph, (left to right) Romilda Ferrauto, Margherita Romanelli, Adriana Masotti, Maria Dulce Araujo, Maria Cristina Grimaldi, and Roberta Gisotti pose in St.Peter’s Square at the Vatican on March 6. (Photo: AFP)
Once a rare sight in the Vatican’s halls of power, women are increasingly being seen in senior posts under Pope Francis, but the gender battle is far from won.
The centuries-old institution has an inherently patriarchal image, from the Swiss Guards at the gates to the cardinals seated in St Peter’s Square.
It reflects the wider Roman Catholic Church, which outlaws divorce, abortion and the ordination of women.
Yet the pontiff’s push for reform has seen more women given roles in administrating the Vatican — even if they are mainly behind the scenes.
From economists to secretaries, historians, and archivists, 649 women worked in 2019 for the Roman Curia — 24 percent of employees — compared to 385 in 2010, according to the latest available figures.
While the shift within the world’s smallest state is hailed in public, around 10 women interviewed on condition of anonymity described to AFP the resistance they meet and the condescension they face, especially among clerics.
One denounced “a glass ceiling and a generally paternalistic attitude in the corridors”, with a backward-looking vision of “the sensitive, gentle woman, which we find in the pope’s speeches”.
“We sometimes feel they consider us as interns. There are little gestures, a hand on the shoulder, a lack of consideration, almost daily remarks about appearance and dress,” she added.
Some described feeling subject to an implicit order for female employees to be silent and docile. Others expressed frustration at being relegated to lesser roles.
“There is still a long way to go,” one woman said.
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