To overcome the gender gap is possible. Interview with Lucia Disabato

Wage differences, stereotypes, and not only the difficulties that a woman he meets in the course of their career are numerous. Despite this, at times it seems possible to be able to break the “glass ceiling”. Talk to the president of the Cooperative Ariete, Lucia Disabato.

A woman at the top of the governance of Ariete. What does this mean?

‘To be a woman and play a role in apical within an organization, in a period of history that often is difficult even to recognize the values and the strength of the female sex (is sufficient to mention the ongoing revolution in Iran), it means you made a step towards the achievement of gender equality in the workplace and not only that Ariete believes in strongly. Is proof of the presence in the board of directors of another woman over me, Annapaola Arbore and the high percentage of women that is the 56,94% (data up to date to 31 December 2022). It is a road that still intricate and full of obstacles that to go in the direction of the actual emancipation of women, but nothing is really unattainable.

Objective 5 of the Agenda 2030 provides for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. There are projects or challenges for the future of the Cooperative, which, in his opinion, will contribute to the achievement of this objective, and the protection of working women themselves?

‘In the Cooperative’s attention to the front of women’s employment and welfare policies, in view of equal opportunity, understood as the absence of distinction, of the lines of demarcation, of unequal treatment between a man and a woman, has always been very high. To demonstrate this, we have recently obtained the certification in support of the empowerment of women (UNI/PdR 125:2022). Among the measures adopted, and that we will continue to promote, also to ensure that the work-life balance there is, for example, increasing the flexibility of the working hours or the parents program, i.e. a program of support for motherhood. Our goal is to try to strengthen the network of services that revolve around the world of women’.

What are the effects on workers of an environment that promotes gender equality?

‘All of us face the daily challenges. To overcome them, I think it is vital to focus on the cooperation, giving primary importance, therefore, to the value of the collection. To enable in the workplace corporate policies aimed at overcoming of gender discrimination through the blending of skills will lead to growth and development opportunities’.

What message would you give to women who are part of the Cooperative, in reference to this subject still so relevant today?

‘Overcoming the gender gap is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary condition for being a part of a world that is sustainable and serene. The women who work with me, but also to all those who I are beside you every day, I say, to not give up, do not derogate never to their ideals and to assert their rights.’