Gender Equality Plan

The Gender Equality Plan defines the actions through which the University of Bologna intervenes to make study and work environments fairer. With a view to continuous improvement, it captures and processes the evidence emerging from the Gender Equality Report and translates it into objectives and measures, identifying monitoring indicators and implementation timelines.

The five areas of the Plan, indicated by the European Commission, define the main areas of action: combating stereotypes, organisational culture, work-life balance, gender equality, research, teaching and combating gender-based violence. The actions and measures set out in the Plan are structured around these areas.

More tools to reconcile life and work schedules and care needs

The Plan includes actions designed to improve the quality of day-to-day organisation, with the aim of supporting work-life balance, supporting parenthood, promoting wellbeing, including psychological wellbeing, laying the foundations for the use of inclusive language and combating stereotypes.

Some of the actions carried out in 2025

• Annual publication of the Gender Equality Report
• Agreement with a healthcare provider for the purchase of products at reduced rates
• Continuation of the summer camps and of the activities of the “Arca di Noè” nursery
• Continuation of the activities of the psychological support desks
• Innovative guidance services for students, to prevent drop-out

More balanced gender representation in leadership roles

The Plan includes measures to promote gender equality.

Some of the actions carried out in 2025

• Continuation of the “No women no panel” memorandum of understanding
• Mapping the gender of University representatives in associations, networks, agreements and institutional working groups, and in entities in which the University holds a stake

More focus on the effects of inequalities

Part of the Plan focuses on the effects that individual differences can have on access, retention and professional development, with particular attention to parenthood and individual situations that may result in disadvantage.

Some of the actions carried out in 2025

• Enhancement of the university alias, extending it to all University staff
• Promoting awareness of the use of inclusive language
• Innovative career guidance services for students with disabilities and special educational needs
• Review of the internal criteria for research assessment in order to take parental leave into account

The gender dimension also involves knowledge

The Plan also recognises gender equality in the choice of degree programme, in the way research is conducted, teaching is delivered and training opportunities are created, and also includes actions to break down stereotypes and biases. 

Some of the actions carried out in 2025

• Information and awareness-raising activities aimed at free choice of degree programme, starting from a gender perspective;
• Awards for dissertations and doctoral theses on topics relating to the promotion of a culture of equal opportunities, combating discrimination and fostering workplace wellbeing
• Piloting the monitoring of gender and intersectional dimensions in publications 
• Monitoring the gender composition of research groups 

Prevent, recognise, act

Combating gender-based violence and harassment is seen as a structural responsibility of the University. The Plan strengthens services, communication, training and support networks.

Some of the actions carried out in 2025

• Continuation and strengthening of the activities provided by the University gender-based violence help desks
• Information and awareness-raising campaigns on preventing gender-based violence
• Continuation of the activities of the LGBTQIA+ anti-discrimination help desk 

How this is linked to the Gender Equality Report

The Gender Equality Report makes trends, critical issues and progress visible. The Gender Equality Plan draws on the evidence emerging from the Gender Equality Report to identify continuous improvement actions, thereby clarifying the path that the University intends to pursue over time.