Violence against women is a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women. Healthcare services play a key role in the care of women exposed to violence, and father involvement in delivery and childcare can reduce intimate partner violence and has positive effects during pre and post-natal care. Our study aims to assess attitudes, practices, and perceived competencies of social-healthcare professionals on fathers’ active engagement in care and on prevention and management of violence against women after specific training. A pre–post study was carried out at two points in time: T0 (pre-training) and T1 within 15 days from the end of the course, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Changes were analyzed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Statistical analysis was carried out using Stata version 16. At T0, there were 129 participants. The most represented professions were midwives (66%). The average score of opinions at T0 and T1 improved, and this difference was significant (T0: 4.44; SD ± 0.6; T1: 4.42 SD ± 0.3; p = 0.0126). The same applies to perceived competencies (T0: 2.79; SD ± 0.6; T1: 2.99; SD ± 0.5; p = 0.0198). Professionals’ training on active fatherhood and on prevention and management of violence against women for health professionals is an effective public health strategy for health promotion.

As elsewhere, in Italy girls read more than boys, and mothers read more to their children than fathers, despite growing evidence on the impact of fathers’ reading on children’s linguistic, cognitive and relational skills, as well as on fathers themselves for parent-child bonding, and to enhance fathers’ empathy and emotional self-awareness. There is also evidence that both fathers and mothers may spend more time reading to girls than to boys who can be more restive physically and less attentive. Reading tends to be viewed as a feminine domain. The authors recommend promoting reading by fathers, as well as mothers, for the father-child relationship, increasing fathers’ self confidence in their parenting skills, and for the child’s cognitive and psycho-social development. Overcoming the stereotype that reading is mainly a female activity and promoting caring masculinities that help to prevent domestic violence are also important.