The University of Bologna's 2024 Gender Equality Annual Report is now online

The ninth edition of the University of Bologna's Gender Equality Annual Report has been published, a project led by the University’s Committee for Equal Opportunities, Employee Well-being, and Against Workplace Discrimination (CUG). This vital document captures the complexity of the University of Bologna's community, highlighting persistent inequalities and guiding targeted policies and initiatives. These efforts contribute to achieving one of the four core principles of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan: "Promoting equity, sustainability, inclusion, and respect for diversity in every field."

The report is a crucial tool for embedding a gender perspective across all University policies, made possible by the contributions of many. The work carried out, along with data gathered in recent Gender Balance Reports, has positioned the University of Bologna as one of the first Italian universities to adopt a Gender Equality Plan (2017-2020), implement the actions outlined in the 2021-2024 Plan, and lead the ongoing development of the 2025-2027 Plan.

“We still have much to do—raising awareness among students, technical-administrative staff, and faculty, and turning that awareness into action that can overcome biases and behaviours that continue to hinder significant progress in reducing inequality", says Rector Giovanni Molari. “We must start from the data in this report. Let me highlight a few points. In our student community, female students tend to invest more in their education, but once they enter the workforce, they are still disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts across all sectors.

The gender gap is also evident among faculty, where 'vertical segregation' or the 'glass ceiling' is particularly pronounced. The representation of women diminishes as academic rank increases, and this inequality is even more visible among younger female faculty".

The newly published Gender Balance Report (based on 2023 data) shows that the “leaky pipeline” effect, a complex phenomenon, persists. This should push us to identify at what stages in the academic path, and in which disciplines, the female presence declines. It also underscores the importance of continuing to address gender stereotypes, which are often responsible for the underrepresentation of women in STEM degrees.

As for technical-administrative staff, where women make up the majority (66%), the situation remains stable, though vertical segregation is still present, albeit less pronounced than among faculty.

“Our University - continues the Rector - is still affected by gender inequalities, partly due to external factors like caregiving responsibilities, which mostly fall on women, but also due to aspects of our institutional culture. We must keep developing tools and critical knowledge, supporting both long-standing and emerging rights, and listening to the community. And we must continue to take responsibility for the impact our principles can have on the region, on the lives of those we educate, and on the sustainability of our shared future, when translated into concrete actions".

“We know that the path to full equity is long and complex, even in academia. There is still much to be done, for example, in addressing vertical segregation and the glass ceiling", explains Cristina Demaria, Delegate for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity. “However, the latest Gender Balance Report also shows an encouraging trend—a growing awareness of these issues and the importance of inclusion policies. This is evidenced by the steady rise in gender equality-related training activities, from 902 in the 2021/22 academic year to 1,126 in 2023/24. The quality and quantity of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and combating gender-based violence within the university community also reflect this progress. The report, therefore, not only reflects our current state but also helps guide our future actions”.

“The Gender Balance Report, promoted by the Committee for Equal Opportunities, tells the story of our university community through the lens of equality", adds Martina Vincieri, president of the CUG. “In 2023, the University Gender Inequality Index at the University of Bologna showed an overall gender inequality value of 12.9% of the maximum possible disparity, down from 15.0% in 2022. This document was made possible thanks to a dedicated scientific and operational committee, to whom we extend our sincere gratitude. We hope that this report serves as a source of reflection and change”.