New statistics paint a picture of both progress and ongoing challenges regarding gender inequality in the Italian workplace. An increase in female employment is the good news, whilst the pay gap and a huge increase in protection orders due to stalking and revenge-porn are the bad news.
On the positive side, Italy has seen an increase in female employment, with the latest data showing a record 52.3% of women in the workforce. This is the highest level recorded, reflecting gradual but steady improvements in labour market participation. Female employment has been steadily growing, with the employment rate up by 6.4 percentage points between 2008 and 2024, according to a report released Thursday by the National Council on the Economy and Labour (CNEL) and statistics bureau Istat. Overall, Istat reported that 10,221,000 women were in work as of January 2024.
The growth was mainly recorded among women over 50, whose employment rate increased by 20 percentage points, while the increase among women aged 24 to 34 was just 1.4 points, according to the survey ‘Women’s Work Amid Obstacles and Opportunities.’ Additionally, the number of women in senior management roles has risen, indicating a shift towards greater gender parity in leadership positions.
Gender inequality in the workplace
However, despite these advances, Italy continues to grapple with gender inequality in several key areas. The gender pay gap remains a pressing issue, with women earning, on average, 15% less than men in similar roles. Meanwhile, the gap between Italy and the rest of Europe remains significant, with the employment rate of women in Italy lagging 12.6 points behind the EU average—the lowest among the 27 member states.
Nearly one-fourth of employed women experience at least one element of vulnerability, such as a short-term contract or involuntary part-time work, compared to 13.8% of men. Young female workers (38.7%), women in the South (31.2%), those with a low level of education (31.7% of women with a middle school degree), and foreign workers (36.5%) are the most vulnerable, according to CNEL and Istat.
44% increase in protection orders
Gender-based violence remains another significant concern. In 2024, police authorities issued 2,746 stalking and revenge porn protection orders, a 44% increase from the previous year, according to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Additionally, 5,858 domestic abuse protection orders were recorded last year, marking a 126% rise compared to 2023. Under new ‘deferred flagrant’ rules approved in 2023, 415 arrests were made last year based on incriminating evidence such as phone records, videos, and photos within 48 hours of the alleged abuse.
More than 12,000 electronic bracelets were fitted in 2023, including over 5,700 used to monitor stalkers. Piantedosi highlightied the significant increase in GPS bracelet use under new legislation aimed at protecting women from gender-based abuse.
