Women pay the price for sacrifice. We all lose potential. This is the message I wanted to convey to the Senate on Tuesday, October 20, in the Zuccari Room of Palazzo Giustiniani, presenting the 10 proposals from UN Women Italy accompanying the second National Report, “From Formal to Substantial Equality.”
Inequalities accumulate: educational choices influenced by stereotypes, jobs that fail to value skills, reduced hours due to a lack of service, missed promotions. Over the years, these inequalities lead to lower income, less autonomy, and lower pensions.
To stop this trend, structural and systemic interventions are needed, capable of working together.
We have developed ten proposals, inspired by European good practices contained in the presented report and Italian legislative initiatives:
1. Mandatory computer science in compulsory schools.
2. Free and accessible educational services for children aged 0–3 years throughout Italy.
3. Five months of mandatory leave for each parent, fully paid and non-transferable.
4. A “NaspI for work-life balance” to prevent resignations and preserve the connection with work.
5. Payroll credited to an account in the name or jointly of the employee.
6. Gender balance in management and executive bodies of large companies.
7. Digital and AI training throughout working life.
8. Integrated support from training to work.
9. Effective implementation of pay transparency and correction of unjustified gaps.
10. Local services for the care of dependent individuals.
We care about all women, especially those who today have fewer options: those who work shifts, have precarious contracts, live in areas without services, have had fewer training opportunities, or are trying to return to work after years of caring.
By reaching out to these women, we can truly expand female employment, generate more wealth, and improve the quality of life for everyone.
I thank Senate Vice President Anna Rossomando for initiating this discussion and all those who participated.
A special thanks to the UN Women Italy Scientific Committee, which I have the pleasure of coordinating, and to the Deloitte team, our Knowledge Partner, for their analysis and contribution to the report.
We have asked women to study more, keep up-to-date, be flexible, and balance everything.
Now we are asking institutions and businesses to change the situation.
