Moreover, taking into consideration the Italian labour landscape, which is often characterized by significant precariousness for women and dynamics influenced by the gender gap, being recognized as one of the best employers takes on an even deeper meaning. Let’s find out why!
Let's start from the beginning: what is the Gender Gap?
The term "gender gap" refers to the cultural differences between men and women that can affect various aspects of life, such as work, education, the economy, or participation in public life.
These differences refer to wage disparities, limited access to the same educational or career opportunities, gender stereotypes, and the underrepresentation of women in governance or leadership roles.
Let's start from the beginning: what is the Gender Gap?
The term "gender gap" refers to the cultural differences between men and women that can affect various aspects of life, such as work, education, the economy, or participation in public life.
These differences refer to wage disparities, limited access to the same educational or career opportunities, gender stereotypes, and the underrepresentation of women in governance or leadership roles.
This is a very complex issue that affects most countries around the world. According to the International Labour Organization, globally, only 47% of women are employed compared to 72% of men. Over the last 30 years, this gap has slightly decreased, but despite this, women's presence in the labour market remains lower than that of men, with averages in some countries even exceeding 50% of the female population.
Unfortunately, Italy echoes this trend. Despite the fact that Italian businesses continue to create jobs (according to ISTAT, nearly half a million more jobs were created in just one year), only 39.9% of women are employed or seeking employment, compared to 57.6% of men.
The difference between these two values means that in Italy there is a gender gap of 17.7%, the highest among European countries.
Unfortunately, Italy echoes this trend. Despite the fact that Italian businesses continue to create jobs (according to ISTAT, nearly half a million more jobs were created in just one year), only 39.9% of women are employed or seeking employment, compared to 57.6% of men.
The difference between these two values means that in Italy there is a gender gap of 17.7%, the highest among European countries.
Markas' response to the Gender Gap
The above data clearly shows that gender disparity is a fundamental problem that requires the necessary attention and proactiveness on behalf of companies that, like Markas, can play a crucial role in promoting a positive change.
For Markas, all employees, male and female, are equally important and they have always been the beating heart of the company's activities and philosophy. Therefore, valuing people, offering them the same opportunities in terms of personal and professional growth as well as ensuring a healthy balance between work and family life has been a strategic approach.
Thanks to this approach, many innovative processes and initiatives have been established over time (equity in salary levels, continuous training paths, new parenthood policies).
These have not only made Markas a point of reference for today’s society, but they also constitute a clear and decisive response to the inequalities dictated by the Gender Gap.
The above data clearly shows that gender disparity is a fundamental problem that requires the necessary attention and proactiveness on behalf of companies that, like Markas, can play a crucial role in promoting a positive change.
For Markas, all employees, male and female, are equally important and they have always been the beating heart of the company's activities and philosophy. Therefore, valuing people, offering them the same opportunities in terms of personal and professional growth as well as ensuring a healthy balance between work and family life has been a strategic approach.
Thanks to this approach, many innovative processes and initiatives have been established over time (equity in salary levels, continuous training paths, new parenthood policies).
These have not only made Markas a point of reference for today’s society, but they also constitute a clear and decisive response to the inequalities dictated by the Gender Gap.
All these initiatives have also lead to important certifications such as the first Family Audit Certification, the Gender Equality Certification, and finally Markas’ being recognized as "Italy's Best Employers for Women 2024". These outcomes become even more significant considering that 86% of our employees are female.
Certainly, the road to proper gender equality is still very long. According to the data from the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2023, it will take approximately 131 years to achieve it, but at Markas, we are certain that every single step taken today today can have a big impact on the future.
That’s why we continue our commitment to improving people's quality of life. And we start with our own.
Certainly, the road to proper gender equality is still very long. According to the data from the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2023, it will take approximately 131 years to achieve it, but at Markas, we are certain that every single step taken today today can have a big impact on the future.
That’s why we continue our commitment to improving people's quality of life. And we start with our own.
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