The existence of gender asymmetries within society and, more specifically, in scientific careers, represents an ethical, social and economic problem. Besides, it is also in contrast with the values of equality and social cohesion that animate the university. The University of Trento is committed to support initiatives aimed at overcoming gender imbalances and ensuring equal opportunities for women and men both within its organisation and in its area of interest.

This commitment translates into a range of actions and initiatives, among which it is worth mentioning the following:

• thorough monitoring of data on the different gender distribution among students, faculty and researchers, and technical-administrative staff, both horizontally (in the different thematic areas) and vertically (career advancement and management positions);
• information, prevention, support to victims of workplace harassment on gender grounds and sanctions for inappropriate behaviours;
• promotion of instruments for balancing work or study and private life;
• accurate monitoring of recruitment and promotion procedures, to avoid and/or prevent any (direct and indirect) discrimination;
• gender rebalancing in decision making bodies and selection committees (that select candidates for doctoral degrees and recruitment procedures);
• incentives to facilitate the recruitment of women in research positions, where candidates have equal qualifications;
• incentives to prevent the abandonment of scientific careers, especially for people employed on fixed term contracts;
• the acknowledgement of time spent on maternity leave in assessments for recruitment processes;
• support for research, education and training initiatives to raise awareness on gender issues and create conditions for overcoming the current situation;
• adoption of University guidelines to promote language and communication policies that respect differences (gender differences, but also cultural and identity differences);
• education and guidance initiatives in schools to encourage new approaches when choosing a university course to overcome gender asymmetries that are unfortunately still widespread;
• promotion of a cultural change in society and at local level, through educational, training and information initiatives that will be implemented in collaboration with other social and cultural actors.