SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Università IULM is committed to the systematic measurement and tracking of the application rate, acceptance rate and entry rate of women as the foundation of its consistent efforts to provide a first class education to women in all of its study areas.

The table below indicates the percentage and proportion of women at all stages: applicants and entry rates. It also breaks down the female students’ numbers by class of degree, namely undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as by First-generation students. These figures provide the basis for the university to track the success of its outreach to potential women students and to their performance at IULM, empowering the university to enhance and improve its efforts as necessary.

IULM is committed to the systematic tracking and measurement of women refugee students as a proportion of the overall refugee student body: this is critically important as IULM’s contribution to an urgent global social and economic challenge.

IULM is also committed to the systematic tracking and measurement of women students with disability as a proportion of the overall numbers of students with disability. IULM considers this measure important as a contribution to its overall commitment to supporting students with disability throughout their studies.

IULM’s consistent policy of promoting women’s applications, women’s acceptance and entry rates and women’s participation at the university is demonstrated by the figures given below: 

77% of IULM’s student body are women, of whom 80% are first-generation students. The policy’s success is evidenced by the consistently increasing proportion of women student participation at the university, rising from 75% overall in 2022, and from 72% in 2021 before the implementation of the policy.

These positive results demonstrate that Università IULM - through its admissions policy and recruitment strategy - is committed to ensuring gender equality among its student population and staff. These actions are also promoted by the official Gender Equality Plan and the University Code of Ethics.

Below are some numbers illustrating the effectiveness of IULM’s policy for  women's applications, acceptance/entry, and participation at the university of the academic year 2022/2023:

In this respect IULM also promotes specific initiatives dedicated to the participation of women at the university life, such as:

• FA-ST - Promote Female Startups in STEM
• IULM e ALF-Pensare Al Femminile
• Awarding of scholarships to deserving female students

IULM has also established a partnership with Cooperativa Sociale ALDIA, providing student mothers with the opportunity to fully engage in university life. Through this agreement, IULM student mothers receive a significant discount for their children’s enrollment at the Aldia Kindergarten.

IULM specifically focuses on providing services and schemes for women’s access in several of the most important mentoring and related support programmes made available by the university. 

Women students constituted the vast majority of the student participants in the university’s counseling, mentoring, tutoring and peer support programmes provided by the university. 83% of the students availing themselves of the counseling opportunities were women; 92% of the students taking part in the peer mentoring schemes were women; 92% of the students participating in the programmes devoted to mental health issues were women.

The above figures demonstrate the importance given by the university to the provision of women access schemes enabling women students to take full advantage of all the academic and social programmes offered by IULM and to succeed in their university careers. Indeed, Università IULM has always been committed to the fight for gender equality. Several initiatives and projects are promoted by the university to support women throughout their university career, from the admission process to graduation, in order to lay the foundations for a successful professional life.

Overall, women students constituted 85% of the total participants in the seminars, group meetings and individual interviews addressed to student access, student success and various issues of mental health and wellbeing related to the challenges and difficulties of a university career.

A specifically targeted approach was adopted in the following meetings: “Orienta-menti”, Seminars on Study Method, Anxiety Management and Expectations, Stress-free graduation - Seminar and FlessibilMente reserved to smaller groups of students with the aim of teaching them how to manage stress and deal with obstacles and failure in a healthy way. Once again, the initiative was enthusiastically received by IULM female students so much so that 92% of the total participants were women. Moreover, women students constituted 83% of the participants in the individually targeted interviews with professional psychologists to address and sort out strictly personal issues.

However, IULM's commitment does not end there: the university in fact supports and promotes access to education for women also from an economic point of view. With this intention, in the 2022/2023 academic year, 82% of scholarships were awarded to deserving and economically disadvantaged female students.

In continuity with past years, the university's future will be increasingly directed towards gender equality, also in the perspective of the Gender Equality Plan, which promotes the inclusion of women in the academic life and condemns any kind of gender discrimination. Specifically, the section 4.2.1 of the Gender Plan indicates as one of its main objectives: “Strengthening the listening and psychological support desk through the implementation of a dedicated channel for support in cases of gender-based violence and sexual harassment”.

IULM is committed to encouraging applications by women in subjects where they are comparatively underrepresented:

1. STEM and AI
   In 2023 IULM graduated its first class of students in artificial intelligence for business and society: 56% of the total graduates were women, which testifies to the success of IULM’s policy in encouraging women to study in these cutting-edge subjects where they are underrepresented, through national and regional campaigns. More specifically IULM organizes Open Days and orientations services and communication campaigns on the main channels of the university in order to promote the course among women students. In one of these presentations the IULM programme director emphasized the importance of reaching out to women students in this innovative study area.
   This AI study course is an example of the targeted programmes IULM offers addressing women students' application to and consequent participation in underrepresented subjects. The university considers this particularly important in the traditionally male dominated STEM and related fields and also encourages the formation of numerous young female entrepreneurs.
2. Screenwriting
   IULM also maintains a consistent policy of encouraging women applicants to enroll subjects where they are underrepresented beyond the STEM field. A recent example has been the IULM initiative aimed at Enhancing women's voices in the world of cinema and audiovisuals, and in particular in the screenwriting profession, through its collaboration with "ALF-Pensare Al Femminile" and the government, more specifically the municipality of Milan. The university is sponsoring the 2024 Women Screenwriters Award and has integrated this initiative into its academic curriculum. Students are participating in the selection process for the Best European Film Award "Al Femminile" and creating video essays on the representation of women in films. This initiative aligns with IULM's Gender Equality Plan and aims to foster equality and provide opportunities for women in creative industries.

Università IULM has a specific policy of non-discrimination against women. The university has implemented a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) aimed at preventing and condemning any form of discrimination against women and ensuring equal participation and representation of men and women in all aspects of university life, for both students and staff. This plan is part of IULM’s strategy to promote and guarantee gender balance within the institution. It also integrates a gender perspective into all internal policies while encouraging cultural, educational, and research initiatives to raise awareness on these topics, both within the university community and the public.

The Equal Opportunities Committee supports the implementation of the GEP. This committee was established to prevent any form of discrimination against women and ensure equal opportunities within the university. Its tasks include preventing gender-based discrimination, supporting those who feel discriminated against, and fostering an inclusive, supportive work and study environment. The committee also works to promote actions that reconcile work-life balance and remove inequalities that hinder the full realization of individuals in the university setting.

IULM has formally introduced and implemented a policy of non-discrimination for transgender people. Activating the principles of non-discrimination for transgender people outlined in the Gender Equality Plan, the university formally adopted the Alias careers regulation, aimed at “ensuring that those who do not identify with the gender associated with their biological sex have the opportunity to see their gender identity recognized and live their experience at the university with serenity, while respecting personal dignity and privacy”.

This protocol offers the possibility, to students who request it, to activate an "Alias identity" that is, to use, within the University, an identity different from the registry identity: the ultimate goal is to ensure those who do not recognize themselves in the gender associated with their biological sex, the possibility to fulfill their academic, professional and personal ambitions while studying at the university with full respect for fundamental human rights and dignity.

In announcing this important activation of the policy of non-discrimination against transgender people, inspired by principles of equity, inclusion, respect and valorization of heterogeneity, IULM Professor Vanessa Gemmo, the Rector's delegate for Equal Opportunities, emphasized that  "The formalization of Alias careers through a specific protocol represents an important step in the creation of an increasingly inclusive study environment that can ensure the psychological and physical well-being of all male and female students who attend our campus: thanks to Alias identities, those who request them will be able to use a name in all interactions with the University that is different from their birth name and consistent with their gender identity”.

Available on the IULM website at this link are the regulations for activating Alias careers, the application form and the confidentiality agreement to be signed.

IULM’s administration has adopted a maternity policy that fully supports women’s participation. The standard IULM contracts for all members of the IULM community give full provision for maternity leave both with respect to pregnancy and to subsequent maternity/ paternity leave. The contract specifically states that during the period of legally mandated leave of absence of work the employee will be compensated fully in accordance with the relevant national legislation.

IULM’s commitment to a maternity policy that supports women’s participation is further evidenced by the additional provisions in the standard IULM contract (available on the university intranet) allowing for women in the final two months of pregnancy to opt for the arrangement of “smart working” i.e. working from home.

The standard IULM contract for all members of the IULM community specifically endorses all provisions for maternity leave in accordance with the relevant national legislation D.Lg. 26.3.2001 n.151 and further modifications. The standard contract further specifies the detailed provisions for maternity and paternity leave in accordance with D.Lg. 80/2015 Art.7.

IULM has made additional arrangements to fully support women’s participation through the convention with the kindergarten Aldia - offering a reduced fee - and the opening of a Nursery on Campus.

IULM’s Gender Equality Plan adopted in 2022 foresaw the opening of childcare facilities for students allowing recent mothers to attend university courses to be implemented in an immediate future. These free facilities have since been opened and are now available.

The Nursery is designed to be a welcoming environment with everything needed to provide an intimate and comfortable space. Equipped with a changing table and a comfortable nursing seat, the Nursery offers the perfect haven to care for IULM’s students and their children in a safe and serene setting.

This facility represents another step by IULM toward promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for its entire community, reinforcing the University's commitment to gender equality and inclusiveness in its organizational culture.

The Nursery project is closely linked to IULM's Gender Equality Plan (GEP) (page 11) , a strategic document promoted by the Equal Opportunities Committee, aimed at promoting gender equality and eliminating gender-based discrimination. The GEP also outlines a series of concrete actions to foster a more equitable and inclusive working and academic environment, including the establishment of support services. With this in mind, in addition to the opening of the Nursery within Università IULM, agreements have been activated with several nurseries in Milan precisely to facilitate the integration of work and family life.

The Equal Opportunities Committee, dedicated to promoting equal treatment and preventing discrimination within the university, plays a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of the GEP and ensuring that initiatives such as the Nursery actually contribute to the well-being of the entire university community

IULM has made additional arrangements to facilitate access to childcare facilities for students which allow recent mothers to attend university courses with a series of supporting initiatives - such as a convention with the kindergarten Aldia, offering a reduced fee and is open for the entire duration of the university courses. (click on the section "servizi" for details).

IULM’s Gender Equality Plan adopted in 2022 foresaw the opening of childcare facilities for staff and faculty allowing recent mothers to fully participate in their university assignments to be implemented in an immediate future. These free facilities have since been opened and are now available.

The Nursery is designed to be a welcoming environment with everything needed to provide an intimate and comfortable space. Equipped with a changing table and a comfortable nursing seat, the Nursery offers the perfect haven to care for IULM’s staff and faculty and their children in a safe and serene setting.

This facility represents another step by IULM toward promoting an inclusive and supportive environment for its entire community, reinforcing the University's commitment to gender equality and inclusiveness in its organizational culture.

The Nursery project is closely linked to IULM's Gender Equality Plan (GEP) (page 11) , a strategic document promoted by the Equal Opportunities Committee, aimed at promoting gender equality and eliminating gender-based discrimination. The GEP also outlines a series of concrete actions to foster a more equitable and inclusive working and academic environment, including the establishment of support services. With this in mind, in addition to the opening of the Nursery within Università IULM, agreements have been activated with several nurseries in Milan precisely to facilitate the integration of work and family life.

The Equal Opportunities Committee, dedicated to promoting equal treatment and preventing discrimination within the university, plays a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of the GEP and ensuring that initiatives such as the Nursery actually contribute to the well-being of the entire university community

IULM has made additional arrangements to facilitate access to childcare facilities for staff and faculty which allow recent mothers to fully participate in their university assignments with a series of supporting initiatives - such as a convention with the kindergarten Aldia, offering a reduced fee.

IULM specifically focuses on providing women's mentoring schemes and related support programmes made available by the university. 

Women students constituted the vast majority of the student participants in the university’s counseling, mentoring, tutoring and peer support schemes and programmes provided by the university. 92% of the students taking part in the peer mentoring schemes were women; 83% of the students availing themselves of the counseling opportunities were women; 92% of the students participating in the programmes devoted to mental health issues were women. Overall, 18% of the women student population participated in the available mentoring schemes.

 A specifically targeted approach was adopted in the following meetings: “Orienta-menti”, Seminars on Study Method, Anxiety Management and Expectations, Stress-free graduation - Seminar and FlessibilMente reserved to smaller groups of students with the aim of teaching them how to manage stress and deal with obstacles and failure in a healthy way. Once again, the initiative was enthusiastically received by IULM female students so much so that 92% of the total participants were women. Moreover, women students constituted 83% of the participants in the individually targeted interviews with professional psychologists to address and sort out strictly personal issues.

The above figures demonstrate the importance given by the university to the provision of women mentoring schemes enabling women students to take full advantage of all the academic and social programmes offered by IULM and to succeed in their university careers. Indeed, Università IULM has always been committed to the fight for gender equality. Several initiatives and projects are promoted by the university to support women throughout their university career, from the admission process to graduation, in order to lay the foundations for a successful professional life.

In continuity with past years, the university's future will be increasingly directed towards gender equality, also in the perspective of the Gender Equality Plan, which promotes the inclusion of women in the academic life and condemns any kind of gender discrimination.

Università IULM is committed to the systematic measurement and tracking of women's likelihood of graduating compared to men’s as the foundation of its consistent efforts to provide a first class education to women in all of its study areas.

The systematic measurement and tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating is illustrated by the tables below, which indicate the percentage and proportion of women at all stages: applicants, entry and graduation rates, including dropout rates. Figures are also given for the comprehensive degree completion rates (i.e, likelihood of graduating rate). It also breaks down the female students’ numbers by class of degree, namely undergraduate and post-graduate, as well as by First-generation students. These figures provide the basis for the university to deploy a systematic measurement and tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men's, empowering the university to enhance and improve its efforts to close any gap as necessary.

As a significant contribution to IULM’s commitment to the systematic measurement and tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men's, IULM has for the first time this year succeeded in tracking the dropout rates for women students compared to men.

The figures demonstrate that there is no gap at the university in the likelihood of women’s graduating compared to men’s graduating. At the same time, the university is totally committed to the promotion of women’s success throughout their studies: should any gap in women’s graduation rates compared to men’s occur in the future the university will deploy additional efforts to support women in alignment with its existing policies.

In addition, IULM has also commenced the systematic tracking and measurement of women refugee students as a proportion of the overall refugee student body: this is critically important as IULM’s contribution to an urgent global social and economic challenge.

Also, IULM has commenced the systematic tracking and measurement of women students with disability as a proportion of the overall numbers of students with disability. IULM considers this measure important as a contribution to its overall commitment to supporting students with disability throughout their studies.

Dropout rates

While IULM's data currently shows no graduation gap between men and women, the university remains fully committed to acting if any disparities arise. In the event of a gap, IULM will implement targeted support measures outlined in its Gender Equality Plan, which include expanded counseling and mentoring programs specifically designed to assist female students in overcoming academic and personal challenges. Additionally, the university is committed to ensuring access to scholarships for deserving and economically disadvantaged women, helping to mitigate financial barriers. These proactive schemes reflect IULM's dedication to fostering an equitable academic environment where all students can succeed.

Università IULM has a policy in place to protect individuals reporting discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage. This policy is embedded within its whistleblowing framework, which allows employees and others connected to the university to report unlawful conduct, including discrimination, in compliance with national regulations such as D. Lgs. n. 24/2023.

IULM provides an online whistleblowing platform that ensures the confidentiality, anonymity and protection of those reporting discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage. The platform allows users to submit reports anonymously, and all submitted reports are handled by the university's Supervisory Body, which safeguards the whistleblower’s privacy throughout the process. IULM is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the whistleblower’s identity and ensures that no retaliation or disadvantage will occur as a result of a legitimate report.

Additionally, if internal channels fail to address the issue adequately, whistleblowers can also report directly to the National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC), further strengthening the protections in place for individuals reporting discrimination or other misconduct.

IULM’s administration has adopted a paternity policy that supports women’s participation by ensuring that fathers can participate in childcare duties. The standard IULM contracts for all members of the IULM community give full provision for paternity leave. The contract specifically states that during the period of legally mandated leave of absence of work the employee will be compensated fully in accordance with the relevant national legislation.

The standard IULM contract for all members of the IULM community specifically endorses all provisions for paternity leave in accordance with the relevant national legislation D.Lg. 26.3.2001 n.151 and further modifications. The standard contract further specifies the detailed provisions for paternity leave in accordance with D.Lg. 80/2015 Art.7.