GENDER EQUALITY IN SPORT IN ITALY

 

Certainly, the number of women who participate in sport in Italy is increasing, but a significant gender gap between sports women and men remains, especially in the leadership of Italian National Sports Federations, which is considerably lower than the European average.

For example, it was only in the Spring of 2022 that an Italian woman, Antonella Granata, was elected as the President of the Italian Squash Federation. As such, she became the first woman to hold such a high position in a National Sports Federation in Italy

In general, 43% of Italian athletes, who participate in sport, are women, but, in certain sports, such as association football, fewer women participate compared to men. It appears that the most practised sports disciplines by Italian women and men are walking, running and jogging, involving 45% of them, according to a recent survey.

The organisers of the 2026 Winter and Paralympic Games in Cortina aim to have a more balanced participation between male and female athletes in these Games, following on from the gender equality aims and achievement of the organisers of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, as noted in an earlier NEWS item on our website.

According to the European Gender Equality Index, Italy consistently occupies the bottom place regarding gender equality in the workplace. Also, there is a notable gender pay gap between women and men. Further legislation in Italy is needed to close these gaps.

As regards gender equality in sport in Italy, this may also be characterised as a work in progress.

We advise on Italian labour law matters, in general, and in sport, in particular, especially on disputes, and further information may be obtained by emailing Sara Botti, the Head of our Italian Country Desk, at ‘botti@valloni.ch’.