Equal opportunities and gender equality
The promotion of equality, which has long been within the University’s strategic direction, is part of the Sustainaibility Commitments Charter among the goals towards a more sustainable future (SDG 5 – Gender Equality), as outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda.
Gender equality report
The University of Padova was among the first in Italy to publish in 2017 its first Gender equality report, then following a revision in 2018 and a second complete edition in 2020. Since 2019, a section of the Sustainability Report outlines the key indicators of gender distribution within the academic community, thus offering an analysis of trends and dynamics concerning access and involvement of women and men in academic life. More specifically, the document measures the application and acceptance rate of female and male students at the University of Padua and tracks the gender rate during the different steps of the academic journey at the University of Padua, also giving information on the post-academic journey, from the completion of the study to the access of work environment. It also gives an insight on gender composition and female presence teaching and technical-administrative staff. This tool contributes to monitoring the impact of different policies and actions taken by the University.
The third complete edition of the Gender Equality Report, published in 2024, tracks datas on gender equality at the University of Padua from years 2020-2022.
Gender Equality Plan (GEP) 2025-2027
In February 2022 the University of Padova approved the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) 2025-2027, following the previous edition of the Plan (2022-2024): a three-year horizon policy document part of the Univesity’s engagement towards the promotion of equal opportunities and gender equality. Actions outlined are articulated in five priority intervention areas as identified by the European Commission: private/work life balance, gender balance in top positions and decision-making positions, gender equality in recruitment and career progression, gender mainstreaming in research and teaching programs and prevention of violence and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.
Alias students careers. In May 2022, in response to GEP 2022-2024 and PAP 2021-2023 goals, the University of Padova approved the new Alias students careers guidelines, to simplify administration procedures and protect transgender people’s confidentiality.
Culture and training for gender equality
The University of Padova contributes to the dissemination of the culture of gender equality and equal opportunities through promoting the use of an administration and institutional language attentive to differences; this brought to the publication of precise guidelines and the organization of training courses for University’s staff. Furthemore, the University established a rich proposal of annual appointments, festivals and events dedicated to debate, meditation and celebration of recurrences such as March 8th, International Women’s day, and the International Women and Girls in Science day. A general course “Generi, saperi e giustizia sociale” designed by Elena Cornaro University Center and open to students and University staff was inaugurated in 2021; the third edition is scheduled for spring 2023.
Online course “Equità e inclusione. Questioni di genere, omotransfobia, razzismo e discriminazione” (Equity and Inclusion. On gender, homotransphobia, racism and discrimination issues)
The online course “Equity and Inclusion” is an initiative under the Gender Equity Plan. It is divided into 6 modules and has a duration of 10 hours, is open to the entire university community and aims to provide the tools to define, understand and recognize social phenomena such as gender inequality, homotranssphobia and racism, know their genesis and the different forms they can take.
The course is accessible (with SSO) through the dedicated link. Completion of the course allows for the Open Badge.
Equal opportunities initiatives and resources
The University of Padova activated different organizations, services and institutional realities charged with addressing discrimination, gender equality and opportunities equality even through practical support for life/work balance of all components of the university’s community. These initiatives are focused on well-being at work, with particular regard to less protected categories, including young researchers. It is in this spirit that 2021 saw the inauguration of Milla Baldo Ceolin nursery, which offers to University’s staff 40 reserved places at discounted rates.
Responsible University – UniRe
The University of Padua, in March 2024 chose to allocate 250,000 euros to support the actions and initiatives planned by the Responsible University – UniRe project. The two-year plan includes training and information meetings for the entire academic community, the activation of a listening and support desk, the promotion of a fundraiser in favor of research on issues related to the project, and awareness-raising activities aimed at citizenship and intended, in particular, for teachers and school directors of secondary schools. See the dedicated page for more information.
Find out more about the University supports for motherhood and fatherhood
Find out more about the University supports for female students