The Perception of Gender Inequalities Among Italian Citizens: An Insight from Puglia

Gender inequality is an obstacle to economic growth and sustainable development. The United Nations 2030 Agenda underlines the importance of gender equality and this study analyses the perception of this phenomenon by the citizens of Puglia. The study is based on data collected through a computer assisted web questionnaire (CAWI) administered to 176 respondents in different municipalities. The results show that women rate awareness campaigns more favorably and are more likely to support targeted recruitment measures. However, awareness of support services for victims of discrimination or gender-based violence is low. In addition, women are more likely to support measures to promote female leadership, such as gender quotas and incentives. The only significant difference between men and women concerns the perception of improved working conditions for women. The analysis shows that the main barriers to gender equality are lack of financial resources, cultural resistance and lack of specific skills. To overcome these obstacles, institutions need to invest in effective strategies, external partnerships and awareness-raising campaigns to make gender equality a concrete reality.