4EGE
4EGE is the Project of Excellence at Hub 2 Gender and Social Sustainability of the Department of Law of the University of Turin to promote gender equality.
We study how to promote gender equality
COUNTDOWN
Here's how long it takes to close the global gender gap:
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123
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THE REGULATIONS
Italy is among the most advanced countries in terms of gender equality legislation.
As early as 2011, the so-called Golfo-Mosca Law introduced the obligation for listed and publicly-controlled companies to ensure a balanced presence of women and men on boards of directors.
This legislation anticipated the European "Women on Boards" Directive by about ten years, placing Italy at the forefront of the international debate on gender equality and the quality of governance.
A few years later, Law No. 162 of 2021 amended the so-called "Equal Opportunities Code" by introducing the gender certification, a new, innovative tool to award virtous companies with benefits and reputational gains.
Law Golfo-Mosca (L. n. 120/2011)
It introduced gender quotas for the first time in Italy on the boards of directors and supervisory bodies of listed and publicly-controlled companies, mandating a minimum presence of the underrepresented gender. The law marked a decisive step toward greater female inclusion in corporate governance.
Equal Opportunities Code (d.lgs. n. 198/2006)
The Code regulates the tools for promoting gender equality in the workplace. In recent years, it has been strengthened with the introduction of the biennial staff report, mandatory for larger companies, and the gender equality certification, aimed at rewarding virtuous companies through financial and reputational incentives.
Directive “No Women No Board” (Directive UE 2022/2381)
The European Directive aims to ensure gender balance on the boards of listed companies by setting minimum representation targets and transparency requirements in selection procedures. It represents a significant step towards harmonizing gender policies at the European level.
Directive on Gender Pay Gap (Directive UE 2023/970)
The directive aims to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap in the EU by requiring companies to provide pay information and take action if the gender pay gap exceeds 5%.
The directive also contains provisions on compensation for victims of pay discrimination.
The Global Gender Gap Report
Each year, the World Economic Forum publishes the Global Gender Gap Report, a document that monitors the evolution of gender equality worldwide according to four metrics: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
Italy and the Gender Gap
Despite legislative efforts, Italy ranked 85th out of 148 countries in the world gender equality rankings in 2025, primarily due to women's low economic and political participation and the significant gap in skilled jobs and decision-making roles.
(The chart below is taken from the Global Gender Gap Report 2025)
Want to know more?
Discover all the events and updates on the Hub of Excellence website.