Italy Gives Women Equal Rights
What Happened
Italy's new post-war constitution established equal rights between men and women. This revolutionary change meant that Italian women could now pass citizenship to their children, just like men could. This was part of Italy's broader democratic reforms after World War II.
Impact on Citizenship
This constitutional change dramatically affected citizenship rights through maternal lines. If you were born on or after January 1, 1948, you can claim Italian citizenship through an Italian mother or grandmother. If you were born before this date and your claim depends on a female ancestor, you'll need to pursue your case through the Italian court system rather than through a consulate. This has become known as the '1948 Rule' in Italian citizenship cases.
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