Women In Italy: Battling Regressive Societal Norms To Gain Gender Equality

Italy like several other modern countries has progressive rights and laws to ensure women’s safety and growth opportunities. Several national laws, legislation from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) protect gender-based rights in Italy.

But, having laws in place is not enough. The reality of gender equality in Italy is far from being ideal. According to WEF’s data, gender equality in Italy lags behind several other nations in the region. The 2023 EIGE Gender Equality Index placed Italy at the 14th spot out of 27 EU member states. The country scored 68.2/100. Italy has also ranked 30th among the 36 countries in the EU according to World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2023 Global Gender Gap Report.

Much like several other countries, deep seated gender-based stereotypes and deeply engrained sexism in the Italian society has been hindering women’s true growth and empowerment in Italy.

A large chunk of the country’s population still believes that women must prioritize family and household responsibilities while men should be the primary breadwinners of the family.

However, such regressive outlook on gender roles has no place in today’s day and age where all genders must have equal opportunities to grow, financially and socially.

Women have often defied such regressive thoughts and have gone out to build successful careers and business leaders and professionals. In the current edition of the Global Woman Leader magazine, we meet some such prolific women from Italy.

Read an in-depth conversation with Maria Luisa Manna, CEO of Franz Haas, a visionary leader known for her resilience and innovation. She transformed Franz Haas into a thriving enterprise after her husband's passing, spearheading growth while nurturing a passionate team. Her journey includes creating the acclaimed Manna Resort and reviving Silvio's restaurant.

We also introduce readesr to Liviana Forza, the CEO of Isoclima Group, a global leader in advanced glazing solutions for sectors including automotive, defense, aerospace, yachting and rail. She excels in driving innovation, stakeholder satisfaction, and employee engagement. Forza’s leadership philosophy emphasizes excellence, dedication, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Read about these women and their inspirational professional success stories. Do let us know your thoughts.