In Italy 53%female employment, it is last in Europe at 27: at the top of the company women only for 28%

The data are increasingly lower than European ones: it is a constant and talking about women’s work. With a female employment rate under 53%Italy is a tail light in Europe at 27, where seven out of ten women work on average. The gap with colleagues men touches 18%, the
double compared to the EU. If you look at the top management, the situation does not change: only 35% of women holds top positions in the EU, a percentage that collapses under 28% in Italy. Despite the progress carried out in the last ten years, overall women remain relegated to the margins of the labor market, thanks to the structural and cultural barriers, who stand in the way to their full realization as workers and entrepreneurs.

These data are part of the report made by Deloitte with the collaboration of a Women Italy and Winning Women Institute and presented in Milan on the occasion of the meeting The equality of
genre (not) is a company: a comparison between institutions and companies to explore the tools and policies that can concretely contribute to filling the gender gap, favoring the culture of inclusion and relaunching the economy.

Equality certifications

Alongside the regulatory interventions, come on Relanging parental leaveI to the so -called pink quotas in Boats 2, guidelines and voluntary certification systems can significantly contribute to gender equality in companies. This is the case of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (Weps), a set of principles developed in 2010 by a Women and a global compact based on international standards on work and human rights. These are corporate practices that promote an inclusive work environment, starting with equitable wages, non -discrimination, flexible working hours, equal career advancement, prevention and zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, protection of safety and health. Currently about 112 thousand companies Italian is instead that of UNI/PDR 125: 2022 certification. According to the data processed by the Winning Women Institute Observatory, three years after publication, over 8,100 certified companies, testifying to the change triggered on the front of gender and social responsibility issues. The certification, the fourth most adopted by Italian companies, also owes its success to public support policies to business support, from contributions to the scores in the tenders in tenders.

«I like to compare both tools to a thermometer with which companies can measure their health compared to theme of gender equality and monitor the progress made to fill the gap. The UNI/PDR 125: 2022 certification in particular is confirmed as a success case, not only for the number of companies involved but also for having been able to attract sectors historically considered the prerogative of men, such as that of constructions. Not to mention the massive adhesion of small and medium -sized enterprises. For this reason, it is essential that the funds allocated with the PNRR, now on exhaustion, are refinanced “, comments Paola Corna Pellegrini, member of the board of a Women Italy and president Winning Women Institute.

Italy’s delay

No country, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 of the World Economic Forum, has still reached full gender equality. At these rhythms, it is the esteem, it will take over 120 years to achieve the goal. Europe leads the ranking, but the picture in the old continent is
far from homogeneous: Iceland firmly in the lead and Italy in 85th place, in the growth of
Just two positions compared to 2024.

At the origin of the stall, the persistent obstacles that brake the progress of women globally, both on the cultural level (gender prejudices and stereotypes) and on the economic one, such as inadequate welfare policies and limited credit access. The data on innovative start-ups in Italy is emblematic: in 2023 only 13.7% saw a prevalence of women. Entering the Boards of Directors of the listed companies, the situation does not change: just 2.9% is guided by women, as Istat certifies. It is not better in technological companies: according to UNESCO, at a global level, just 12% of women are employed in the research sector applied to artificial intelligence and only 6% in the development of software.

Artificial intelligence and gender gap

This is a picture that is reflected in the poor adhesion of women to academic paths in the scientific and technological fields. While representing almost 55% of the overall enrollments at European level, the students in the STEM courses are just a third. Percentage that drops to 20.6% in the case of ICT studies. A more significant aspect for the implications that can have on the developments of new technologies, starting with an artificial intelligence that incorporates and amplifies gender prejudices and inequalities. If based on equality and inclusion, the AI
On the contrary, it can deploy great opportunities.

«If half of women in Italy does not work, it is the whole country to lose. We need a change of course already at school: technologies and artificial intelligence are redesigning the skills and crafts of the future. If well guided and oriented, girls have all the potential to guide change as protagonists and conquer their economic autonomy. It is time to cultivate a digital mentality in young women. Companies, for their part, must activate inclusive policies to enhance the merits and distinctive skills of women and Weps go exactly in this direction “, explains the president of a Women Italy Darya Majidi.

Because gender equality can help the economy

That gender equality can be a volàno for the economy is supported by numerous evidence. According to the International Monetary Fund, the reduction of inequalities in the labor market could contribute to a growth of GDP in emerging and developing economies of almost 8%. The benefits deriving from the total elimination of the gap would be even greater, with a potential increase in GDP in these countries equal to 23%.

Also from a demographic point of view, with a population that ages more and more complicit low birth rates, the increase in female employment imposes itself as a necessary strategy that in the long term can act as a lever on global growth. The numbers, moreover, also show a clear correlation between the presence of women in managerial positions and better financial performances, starting with higher profit and market assessments.

«Gender equality is a fundamental lever for innovation and sustainable growth. In Italy, only 27.9% of managerial roles are occupied by women, and just 13.7% of innovative startups are guided by female leadership – data that report how potential remains still unexpressed. At the same time, The presence of at least three women in the corporate board is related to better financial performances and significantly higher results. These are numbers that speak clearly: filling the gender gap is not only a goal of equity, but an economic priority. Through our Center Public Policy & Stakeholder Relations we want to help create inclusive ecosystems, capable of transforming gender equality into strategic infrastructure for the development of the country “, comments Silvana Perfetti, Chair Deloitte Central Mediterranean.

As pointed out by Fabio Pompeii, CEO of Deloitte Italy, during his intervention, gender equality in decision -making processes and places where the trajectories of development are defined today represents a strategic imperative. Only in this way will it be possible to ensure that the evolution of economic and social models is not only fair, inclusive and sustainable but also really representative of the plurality of skills and visions present in society.