Matters of gender and good development
A recently published study by the Bank of Italy tackles the delicate topic of gender relations within the labour market and the economy
A matter of culture above all, but also of economy and wise management, good gender relations, and the ability to enhance all available resources, yet without falling into stereotypes, especially gender ones. Topics such as women’s labour, the gender gap, gender relations in factories and offices are certainly delicate and complex ones, but they must be dealt with – starting, as always, with a proper understanding of the realities surrounding it.
“Donne, mercato del lavoro e crescita economica” (“Women, labour markets and economic growth”) – written by Francesca Carta, Marta De Philippis, Lucia Rizzica and Eliana Viviano from the Bank of Italy – represents a solid basis for a correct understanding of the realities surrounding the gender gap in Italy’s labour market, their impact on the economic growth and the policies aimed at reducing such inequalities. The study – which includes a hefty analysis of a number of national and local data provided by the Bank of Italy – tackles the topic starting with a snapshot of the situation and then moving on to one of the key points of the question: the importance to teach gender equality at school. The authors go on to explore the theme of maternity and the labour market before moving on to the interactions between family and the tax system, and finally to the complex subject of career progression in relation to gender issues.
Thus, they identify at least three key points that still require some work before real gender equality in society and in production systems can be attained. First of all, an adequate education, both in schools and in general, which would provide the tools required in a viable labour market (whose rules also need to change); then, compatible work and family responsibilities (accompanied by appropriate financial rewards); and finally, the recognition that women’s career progression is still happening at a too slow pace.
Gender equality, squeezed between labour market’s rules and economic growth, still has a long way to go, but it needs to keep up its determination and keep on going. A matter of culture – as we said above – that will then spill over into all other social and economic spheres.
Women, labour markets and economic growth
Francesca Carta, Marta De Philippis, Lucia Rizzica, Eliana Viviano
Banca d’Italia, Workshops and conference, 2023
A recently published study by the Bank of Italy tackles the delicate topic of gender relations within the labour market and the economy
A matter of culture above all, but also of economy and wise management, good gender relations, and the ability to enhance all available resources, yet without falling into stereotypes, especially gender ones. Topics such as women’s labour, the gender gap, gender relations in factories and offices are certainly delicate and complex ones, but they must be dealt with – starting, as always, with a proper understanding of the realities surrounding it.
“Donne, mercato del lavoro e crescita economica” (“Women, labour markets and economic growth”) – written by Francesca Carta, Marta De Philippis, Lucia Rizzica and Eliana Viviano from the Bank of Italy – represents a solid basis for a correct understanding of the realities surrounding the gender gap in Italy’s labour market, their impact on the economic growth and the policies aimed at reducing such inequalities. The study – which includes a hefty analysis of a number of national and local data provided by the Bank of Italy – tackles the topic starting with a snapshot of the situation and then moving on to one of the key points of the question: the importance to teach gender equality at school. The authors go on to explore the theme of maternity and the labour market before moving on to the interactions between family and the tax system, and finally to the complex subject of career progression in relation to gender issues.
Thus, they identify at least three key points that still require some work before real gender equality in society and in production systems can be attained. First of all, an adequate education, both in schools and in general, which would provide the tools required in a viable labour market (whose rules also need to change); then, compatible work and family responsibilities (accompanied by appropriate financial rewards); and finally, the recognition that women’s career progression is still happening at a too slow pace.
Gender equality, squeezed between labour market’s rules and economic growth, still has a long way to go, but it needs to keep up its determination and keep on going. A matter of culture – as we said above – that will then spill over into all other social and economic spheres.
Women, labour markets and economic growth
Francesca Carta, Marta De Philippis, Lucia Rizzica, Eliana Viviano
Banca d’Italia, Workshops and conference, 2023