Lorenzo Macchi
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Italy
Gender inequality in Italy - statistics & facts
In 2023, Italy ranked at the 79th place in the global gender gap index, before Zambia and after Ethiopia and Thailand. Elaborated by the World Economic Forum, it benchmarks national differences between men and women on economic, political, education- and health-based criteria, with the purpose of tracking gender-based disparities. Hence, Italian women are still significantly suffering from a gender discrimination which causes them unequal treatment in their workplace, remuneration, and engagement in political and social life.
Nonetheless, women’s participation in the country’s institutions recorded some historical milestones. The first remarkable achievement was already registered in 1979, when Nilde Iotti was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of the Italian Parliament, making her the first woman to obtain the role since 1861. However, female representation in politics made significant progress only in the last few years. In 2018, with the election of the first female president of the Senate, the upper legislative house, followed by the nomination of the first woman as president of the Constitutional Court in 2019. Finally, in 2022, with the appointment of Giorgia Meloni as the first female prime minister of the Italian history.
Since 1948, women’s representation in the parliament has constantly augmented, constituting in 2024 around one third of the total members. Despite these accomplishments, gender disparity in wages and work opportunities still represents a threat to female empowerment, even though for 49 percent of Italians, women have already attained enough rights.
Hence, insecurity significantly hinders women, who traditionally bear family duties alongside their professional career. For this reason, it is necessary to equally allocate the time spent doing care and domestic work between all the family members. This is a common opinion shared between men and women, as almost 80 percent of Italians believe that staying at home looking after children does not emasculate fathers. Moreover, the European Institute for Gender Equality calls for more equality in decision-making positions, and a fairer participation in education and training over the life course for avoiding gender segregation.
However, more than two thirds of female employees are asked about their intention of having babies and experienced questions on their commitment to work and family. Significantly fewer men have to confront with these requests from their employers. Hence, female workers assert that their male counterparts have more possibilities to advance in their professional career and to receive an appropriate salary. Stereotypes hinder women’s capacity to fully emancipate from ancient social schemes and preconditions and obtain equal rights and treatments, from the workplace to the civil society. Gender motivated violence is often fostered by claims of men’s control over women’s lives. Therefore, measures to promote female empowerment and overcoming gender biases are essential steps to promote a more equal and fairer society for all.
Since 1948, women’s representation in the parliament has constantly augmented, constituting in 2024 around one third of the total members. Despite these accomplishments, gender disparity in wages and work opportunities still represents a threat to female empowerment, even though for 49 percent of Italians, women have already attained enough rights.
Lower salaries and higher unemployment for Italian women
Italy is one of the best countries among OECD members in terms of pay difference between men and women. In fact, a female worker earns around 3.3 percent less their male counterpart, well below the OECD average of 11.6 percent in favor of men. However, according to the European Gender Equality Index, decisive steps forward must be undertaken in providing equal access to employment and good working conditions. Even though at the end of 2023, female unemployment registered the lowest figures since at least 2018, it was still above the male rate by 1.8 percent. On average, male Italian workers are more likely to have a full-time and permanent contract than female employees, who usually must confront themselves with precarious and underpaid jobs.Hence, insecurity significantly hinders women, who traditionally bear family duties alongside their professional career. For this reason, it is necessary to equally allocate the time spent doing care and domestic work between all the family members. This is a common opinion shared between men and women, as almost 80 percent of Italians believe that staying at home looking after children does not emasculate fathers. Moreover, the European Institute for Gender Equality calls for more equality in decision-making positions, and a fairer participation in education and training over the life course for avoiding gender segregation.
A difficult path towards women’s empowerment
Balancing career with family: more and more women are asked to be able to reconcile their job and care duties, while for male workers, a total dedication to their profession is praised. Gender-related stereotypes are central in fostering inequality between women and men, which can hamper the possibility of both sexes to self realize. Historically, only male workers have been considered the breadwinners, whereas women were expected to take care of the household. Nowadays, only around 20 percent of the Italians share this feeling, believing that men are less apt for house chores and must only focus on being successful in their job, while women have to bear children and take care of them to fully realize their potential.However, more than two thirds of female employees are asked about their intention of having babies and experienced questions on their commitment to work and family. Significantly fewer men have to confront with these requests from their employers. Hence, female workers assert that their male counterparts have more possibilities to advance in their professional career and to receive an appropriate salary. Stereotypes hinder women’s capacity to fully emancipate from ancient social schemes and preconditions and obtain equal rights and treatments, from the workplace to the civil society. Gender motivated violence is often fostered by claims of men’s control over women’s lives. Therefore, measures to promote female empowerment and overcoming gender biases are essential steps to promote a more equal and fairer society for all.
