Gender equality in Italy: a critical analysis

For several decades, gender issues are at the center of numerous debates inspired by the growing awareness that the reduction of gender inequalities is not only a fundamental human right, but also an indispensable condition for a respectful development of equilibrium in countries and among countries. In fact, there is a close link between social culture and gender identity, a dynamic correlation between the cultural symbolic system that leads to perceiving oneself as women or men and the constant process of redefining one’s identity in which one engenders the change of cultural codes. According to an integrated view of the three dimensions of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental - the objectives of gender equality are closely linked to many other objectives, such as education, work and health. This is to ensure that every person has the right to participate and contribute to economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized, and benefit from this development. In this context, it is a priority to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence for all women; guarantee equal rights and access to economic, natural and technological resources, full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of political and economic decision-making, as well as recognition of the activities provided free of charge for family care and domestic work. The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the issue of equality in the universal path of realization of a truly sustainable development. The latter incorporates the fundamental concept of generational equity, in its dual sense of intergenerational equity and of intergenerational equity. This concept is a key element of the “culture of sustainability”. In particular, intergenerational equity is understood as the moral duty of present generations to guarantee equal opportunities for growth to future generations, allowing them to have a wealth of adequate natural and cultural resources. The concept of intra-generational equity, on the other hand, is aimed at ensuring that all individuals of the same generation, equal opportunities and dignity in its multiple meanings. This last concept sees in the paths aimed at the elimination of gender inequalities a fundamental element for the affirmation of an innovative model of development, with a view to equal opportunities. The integration of equality between women and men requires constant and systematic attention to gender equality prospects in the activities of all government bodies, international organizations and private sector institutions, based on an inter-dimensional approach, as well as appropriate monitoring and review mechanisms. The analysis has therefore focused on the state of the art and on the main initiatives undertaken at national level to solve the current gender gap present in the different organizations