Italy

My name is Martina, I am 28 years old, and I have been working for a few years in a marketing company. When I started, I was excited. I had studied a lot and thought that finally my efforts would be recognized. However, right from the beginning, I started noticing differences. Not so much in the tasks, but in the treatment. One of the first things I noticed was my salary. Even though I had the same qualifications and skills as my colleague, he earned at least 15% more than me. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but when I had the opportunity to talk to other colleagues, I found out I wasn’t the only one. The gender pay gap is a reality that is felt every day, even in environments that claim to be modern and inclusive. But salary isn’t the only difficulty I’ve had to face. Sometimes, I find myself attending meetings where, even though I have carefully prepared my proposals, my ideas are questioned or ignored. If a man expresses the same things, however, it seems like he is taken more seriously. I’ve had situations where, after presenting a project, I was asked, “Are you sure you have the skills to handle this?” It’s frustrating because I know I have the ability, but being a woman seems to make everything more complicated. Then there are the uncomfortable questions. “Do you plan to have children?” they asked me right away during the interview. As soon as I said I was single, I sensed a sigh of relief, and it was made clear that my personal situation was just an obstacle to my hiring. As if my value as a professional was tied to my private life, as if a woman who wants a serious career must, by default, put her family aside or even be seen with suspicion. If this question had been asked to a man, I probably wouldn’t have even noticed. But when it happened to me, it seemed like another way to diminish my importance in the workplace. Another thing that struck me was when, during a presentation to an important client, a colleague received recognition for a project I had contributed much more to. When I pointed it out, I was told that “his experience was more relevant.” It felt as though everything I had done didn’t matter. Yet, the results speak for themselves, but I’ve never been able to get the same level of recognition. And then there’s the issue of workplace harassment. It’s hard to talk about, but it’s a reality I’ve had to face. A couple of times, during business trips or corporate events, some colleagues made inappropriate comments and gestures. Sometimes, they were jokes about my physical appearance, other times gestures that crossed the line of professionalism. One colleague, for example, tried to get too close during a meeting, making me uncomfortable, or commented inappropriately on my clothing choice. At first, I tried to ignore it, but the more time passed, the more I realized that these things should not be accepted. When I tried to bring it up, I was told it was “just a joke,” that I was “too sensitive.” It’s hard to find the courage to react, especially when you fear being labeled as “over the top” or “difficult.” But the truth is that every time these things happen, I feel as though my value as a professional is reduced to a body or an image, not what I know how to do. What hurts me the most, though, is that I often feel judged not for what I am capable of doing, but for what others expect from me just because I am a woman. And this is not a battle I fight alone, but all my female colleagues. I often feel like I have to continuously prove my worth far more than my male colleagues, as if my competence is never enough. Despite everything, I keep fighting. I know I have the right to be treated with equal dignity and respect, and every time I face these difficulties, I remind myself that I don’t want my experience to be that of a woman who passively accepts discrimination. It’s time for things to change. 

This story is powerful, and the data that follows shows that it is far from alone…

Discrimination in the Family 

Patriarchal family structures persist in many areas of Italy, with the father often seen as the head of the family and women responsible for domestic chores and family care. This division of labor limits women’s autonomy and career opportunities. According to studies from 2024, 43.5% of women consider their primary role to be taking care of the family and the home, even when they work. ISTAT reports that only 32% of women share domestic chores equally with their partners, while over 50% are primarily responsible for raising children and domestic work. Additionally, 45.3% of Italian women state they have the primary responsibility for family care. This unequal division of labor hinders women’s access to education and participation in the labor market, perpetuating their economic dependence on male family members and limiting career opportunities, especially in more rural and conservative regions. 

Gender Gap in Senior Leadership Positions 

The gender gap in leadership and senior management positions in Italy remains significant. Women are underrepresented in the highest positions, both in the public and private sectors. In 2023, only 25% of members of boards of directors in Italian companies were women, despite efforts to introduce quotas and gender diversity laws in corporate boards. The same occurs in the case of parliamentary representation, which was only 32.3% in 2023. The Gender Equality Observatory emphasizes that while the gender gap in lower and middle-level positions has reduced over the years, women continue to face significant obstacles in accessing executive positions. The Italian government introduced a quota law in 2011, which stipulates that at least one-third of positions on the boards of publicly listed companies must be occupied by women. While this legislation has increased the number of women in corporate leadership, it is not enough to overcome entrenched biases and structural barriers that prevent women from reaching the highest positions. Cultural norms and biases regarding women’s leadership abilities persist, contributing to the stagnation of gender equality in executive positions. 

Economic Prevalence of Men 

In Italy, the gender pay gap remains a significant issue. A 2023 report from the OECD reveals that women in Italy earn, on average, 17% less than men, and their representation in managerial and executive positions is still low. This gap is influenced by various factors, including the concentration of women in lower-paying sectors and obstacles to career progression. The economic system in Italy remains heavily skewed in favor of male dominance, particularly in higher-paid and more prestigious jobs. This economic imbalance is also reflected in family dynamics, where men are often seen as the primary financial providers. Women, especially those with children, are more likely to be financially dependent on their partners. This dependency can create a power imbalance within the family, making it more difficult for women to challenge traditional gender roles or negotiate equality in relationships. Economic pressure often reinforces the idea that women should focus on domestic tasks, while men should provide financially for the family. 

Time Spent on Unpaid Domestic and Care Work 

One of the most significant factors contributing to gender inequality in Italy is the disproportionate amount of time women dedicate to unpaid domestic and care work. According to a 2022 OECD study, Italian women perform 73% of the unpaid domestic work, compared to 27% performed by men. This gap not only hinders women’s ability to participate in the labor market but also limits their opportunities for career advancement and economic independence. On average, women in Italy dedicate 4.9 hours per day to unpaid care work, while men spend only 2 hours. This imbalance in the division of domestic labor leads to significant time poverty for women, preventing them from fully engaging in work or pursuing educational and professional opportunities. The gendered division of labor also contributes to the pay gap, as women’s unpaid work is often invisible in the formal economy. 

Workplace Harassment 

Regarding workplace harassment, recent data indicates a concerning trend. According to a 2023 report from Inail, 6,813 cases of assaults and threats at work were recorded, an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Women have been particularly affected, with a 14.6% rise in cases compared to 2022. The healthcare and social assistance sector has been identified as the most affected, with 70% of the assaults on women occurring in this field. Additionally, a 2022-2023 Istat survey revealed that 13.5% of women between the ages of 15 and 70 have experienced sexual harassment at work during their lifetime, with peaks of 21.2% among younger women (15-24 years old). The most common forms of harassment include offensive stares, insults, and indecent proposals. It is important to note that only a small percentage of victims have reported the incidents to the relevant authorities, highlighting the need for greater support and awareness on the issue. 

Legal Discrimination on Reproductive Autonomy 

Women’s reproductive autonomy in Italy remains a relevant issue. Although Italy made significant progress with the approval of the 1978 law that legalized abortion, challenges to this fundamental right persist. The law allows women access to abortion services, but there is a growing phenomenon of conscientious objectors (doctors and healthcare staff who refuse to perform abortions for personal reasons). In some regions, particularly in the south of the country, up to 80% of gynecologists are conscientious objectors, making access to abortion services extremely difficult for women. Furthermore, the lack of comprehensive sex education, combined with limited access to contraception in some areas, continues to limit women’s reproductive choices. A 2021 study by the European Institute for Gender Equality found that nearly 40% of women between the ages of 18 and 44 in Italy have difficulty accessing adequate reproductive care. Additionally, a large portion of young Italians continues to face stigma when discussing sexual and reproductive health, making it harder to make informed choices about contraception and family planning. 

Conclusion 

The conditions of women in families in Italy in 2024 are still deeply influenced by patriarchal traditions, male economic dominance, religious teachings, and persistent social stigmas regarding divorce. Despite legal progress, such as the recognition of divorce and gender equality, cultural norms often reinforce traditional gender roles that limit women’s autonomy and their opportunities for personal and economic independence.of women, females remain underrepresented in leadership positions and high-responsibility professions such as law or medicine. Moreover, salaries are lower for women, who earn approximately 10.7% less than their male colleagues, and in some cases, they are even subjected to requests for sexual favors from their employers.

Perception that the husband is justified in beating his wife / social discrimination in divorce 

The issue of violence against women is also alarming. A 2020 OECD study involving a sample of 1,858 women aged 18 to 74 revealed that 22% had experienced physical or sexual violence, 53% had suffered some form of domestic violence—whether psychological, sexual, verbal, or economic and 34% had been sexually harassed. However, only 3% of women reported these incidents, and divorces remain rare. This is largely due to the fear of social stigma, as the prevailing mentality still perceives men as the de facto heads of households and inherently superior to women, whose primary duty is obedience—even when they disagree. Unsurprisingly, many women, especially in rural areas, still believe this way of thinking is correct. Social stigma is further compounded by economic concerns, as many women are unemployed, come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or earn such low wages that they cannot afford the legal process of divorce, let alone sustain themselves independently or secure an adequate pension for old age. Institutional shortcomings also play a significant role. Many women lack trust in public institutions, which are often unequipped to handle reported cases of violence, adopting a disorganized approach that leaves victims feeling lost and unsupported.

Feeling of insecurity at night 

Authorities also show little concern for situations that can cause distress and potentially escalate. Due to a deeply rooted mentality that objectifies women, they often remain indifferent to cases of stalking or harassment that women experience while walking down the street. Responding to such provocations is not considered an option for women, as doing so would result in insults and accusations, branding them as immoral or inappropriate.