THE Gender gap remains a central issue in the global business landscape. Italy appears to be one of the most virtuous countries in Europe in terms of the presence of women on the boards of listed companies. significant challenges in ensuring equal representation of women in senior management.
Partial success at the CDA
Italy has achieved important goals thanks to the Gulf-Moscow law, which imposed the obligation to reserve a significant share of seats on boards of directors for women. This legislative intervention brought the presence of women on the boards of directors of listed companies to the impressive figure of 43.1% by the end of 2023. This result places Italy is one of the leading countries in Europe, surpassed only by France and Norway.confirming the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting gender equality.
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However, the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 highlights that globally, only 31.7% of positions of power are held by women, a decrease compared to previous years. These data reflect a complex reality in which women, although more represented on boards of directors, continue to face obstacles in accessing the highest positions in companies.
The Gender Gap in Top Management: A Still Distant Objective
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, gender equality in corporate leadership remains a distant goal. In Italy, women hold only 24% of management positions, a figure that is down compared to the past. This shows that, despite regulations and efforts to promote equality, There are still cultural and structural barriers that hinder the rise of women to the highest positions..
The report also highlights that in sectors such as health careTHEinstruction and the retailwhere female employment is very high, management positions are still overwhelmingly held by men. For example, in the health sector, although women make up 63% of the workforce, only 38% hold management positions. This gap is even more evident in the education sector, where women make up 61% of workers, but only 45% hold management positions.
These data indicate that, despite a greater female presence at the middle and lower levels, women are struggling to break through what is called glass ceilingwhich separates them from higher decision-making positions.
Examples of positive businesses overcoming the gender gap
Despite the general difficulties, there are significant examples of Italian companies making progress in promoting female leadership. TIM, one of Italy’s leading telecommunications companies, recently appointed Alberta Figari as CEO, marking a major shift in female representation at the top of the company. Amplifon, a global leader in hearing aid distribution, stands out for its inclusive leadership, with a board of directors with a majority of women (5 out of 9). These cases demonstrate that it is possible to overcome obstacles and that gender diversity represents a competitive advantage for businesses.
The road ahead
To further reduce the Gender gap and promote more equitable female leadership, it is essential to address the cultural roots of gender inequality. Quota policies have been effective to some extent, but A deeper change is needed, involving businesses, institutions and society as a whole.
Investing in training and professional development women It is essential to ensure that they can access and thrive in leadership roles. Furthermore, it is crucial to create an inclusive and bias-free work environment, in which women's skills and potential are maximised.
Italy has demonstrated that it can be a leader in Europe in promoting gender equality.But to maintain and improve this position, continued commitment is required from all those involved. Italy will be able to consolidate these first successes transforming exceptional female leadership into the norm?
