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  6. SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Policy of non-discrimination against women

Università IULM has a specific policy of non-discrimination against women, which has evolved over time into a broader and more comprehensive strategy. The IULM Gender Equality Plan (GEP) aims not only at preventing and condemning any form of discrimination against women, but also at fostering a fully inclusive environment that promotes equal participation and representation for women across all dimensions of university life.

This policy is an integral part of IULM’s overall mission, ensuring that a gender perspective is embedded in all internal policies while simultaneously encouraging cultural, educational, and research initiatives to raise awareness on gender equality and inclusion within the university community and in society at large.

The Equal Opportunities Committee supports the implementation of this policy. It acts as a key institutional body dedicated to preventing gender-based discrimination, supporting those who feel discriminated against, and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for both study and work. Its tasks also include proposing concrete actions to reconcile work-life balance and to eliminate structural inequalities that may hinder women’s academic or professional careers. In 2024, the committee was strengthened with the election of a student representative, ensuring that women students are directly involved in governance processes and that their voices contribute to shaping university policies on equality and inclusion.

In addition, the university’s Strategic Plan explicitly commits IULM to overcoming all forms of discrimination and promoting the equal participation of all members of the university community, independent of gender, socio-economic background, or other categories. By embedding gender equality in its Strategic Plan, IULM ensures that non-discrimination is not only a compliance requirement, but also a core cultural value shaping teaching, research, and community engagement.

The effectiveness of this policy is reinforced by practical measures: IULM supports women students and staff through access schemes such as childcare facilities, healthcare services at subsidized rates, mobility agreements, and economic support programmes.

Finally, IULM is an active member of national and inter-university networks dedicated to gender equality. Since 2013, the university has been a founding member of the  Interuniversity Research Center “Gender Cultures”, which brings together the seven Milanese universities to develop joint research, training, and awareness-raising activities on gender and equal opportunities. Through this participation, IULM contributes to a broader cultural and institutional transformation, ensuring that its internal policies resonate within a larger academic and societal framework.