Memorandum of understanding between the Region, the University of Veneto, and the Regional Councillor for Equality

An agreement to enhance the synergies between the different actors in the area in favor of gender equality.

On 3 May 2018, the University of Padova, Verona, Ca' Foscari University and IUAV signed a memorandum of understanding with the Veneto Region and the Regional Equality Councillor for the sharing of resources and tools that make it possible to build real gender equality, in the social and labour spheres.

The memorandum of understanding represents the starting point for the promotion of a culture of respect for genders, and for the enhancement of the presence of women in the various components of society. The commitment of the Region and the Universities, in synergy with the Equality Councillor, therefore, is to ensure compliance with the principles of equality, also by investing in training and awareness-raising courses on equality and gender policies.

"Where there is gender equality, there is a society that works better," highlights the Rector of the University of Padova Rosario Rizzuto, who goes on to underline how gender equality is a "primary objective, both as an internal organization and as an institution that has the task of training the new generations." The role of the signatories of the protocol is therefore to develop study processes for the dissemination of new practices to support the realization of gender equality.

The analysis of gender equality conducted in the 1200 companies in the Veneto region with more than 100 employees showed that for the same contract, the salary of female employees is about 25-30% lower than that of male employees. In addition, 88% of part-time workers are women, and 78% of voluntary resignations are signed by female employees.

The protocol for gender equality therefore aims to strengthen the cooperation of local authorities to overcome the gender gap. The concrete actions, through the spaces, tools and skills made available by the Veneto Region and the Equality Councilor, provide for the implementation of research programs, with the enhancement of the female contribution, the organization of training programs and courses, also for the promotion of specific skills and new professionalism that take into account the labor market, and the implementation of initiatives focused on the issue of gender equality.