Gender Equality: History and Importance

The fight for gender equality has deep roots. From the first feminist movements of the 19th century, when the first suffrage committee was established in Manchester and then spread worldwide, to the major movements of the 1960s and 1970s, significant progress has been made. Today, important achievements have been secured, such as the right to vote, access to education, and career opportunities. However, the gender gap still persists, especially in the professional field.

Laws and Policies for Equality

Promoting gender equality is now a global priority, with many countries adopting laws and policies to guarantee equal rights. At the international level, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the United Nations in 1979, remains a cornerstone in the protection of women’s rights. Ratified by 189 countries, it obliges governments to take concrete measures to eliminate gender discrimination in both public and private life.

Examples of national policies include:

• Spain: The 2007 Equality Law requires political parties to ensure at least40% female representation on electoral lists and promotes gender balance in corporate boards.
• Switzerland: The 1995 Federal Gender Equality Act prohibits workplace discrimination and created the Federal Office for Gender Equality to monitor compliance.
• Thailand: In 2015, the country introduced its firstGender Equality Act, banning explicit gender discrimination, followed by the 2017 constitution reinforcing gender balance.

Many countries have also introduced gender quotas in decision-making roles, especially in boards of directors:

• Norway: Since 2023, at least40% of board members must be women in private companies.
• France: A 2011 law requires publicly listed companies to reach40% female board representation within six years.

Gender Equality in Italy

In Italy, gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution: Article 3 guarantees equal rights for all citizens, “without distinction of sex.” In 2006, the Equal Opportunities Code consolidated existing laws and introduced gender mainstreaming in public policies.

In 2021, Italy launched the National Gender Equality Strategy 2021–2026, aligned with the European plan, aiming to improve the national Gender Equality Index by five points by 2026. To support this, the Gender Equality Certification was introduced to reward companies committed to equality, focusing on equal pay, inclusion, and welfare policies.

Despite progress, Italy still faces significant gaps. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Italy ranks 87th out of 146 countries, with a female employment rate just above 50% and a high rate of part-time work among women. Unpaid care and family responsibilities remain largely unbalanced.

In politics, women’s representation has grown nationally, with 33% of Parliament members being women and the historic appointment of the first female Prime Minister in 2022. However, at the local level, only 15% of mayors are women.

The Role of Companies in Closing the Gender Gap

The private sector plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality. This is not only about social justice, but also about sustainable growth. Gender equality certification is a practical tool to recognize leading companies and foster a real cultural transformation. Inclusive companies attract top talent, improve workplace culture, and drive innovation.

Strategies to Promote Gender Equality

Some of the most effective actions include:

• Data analysisto identify pay and career disparities
• Work–life balance policiesto support employees
• Ongoing trainingto overcome stereotypes and bias
• Transparencyin recruitment and promotion processes
• Meeting certification requirements, including commitments on female leadership, equal pay, and inclusive workplace culture

Obtaining Gender Equality Certification is not only recognition of a company’s progress but also a long-term commitment to a fairer and more inclusive future.

Boards of directors: https://www.italgas.it/en/investors/governance/board-directors/

Gender Equality Certification: https://www.italgas.it/en/press-release/italgas-obtains-uni-pdr-1252022-gender-equality-certification/

Global Gender Gap Report 2024: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/

Sustainable growth: https://www.italgas.it/en/sustainability/