Gender Equality Plan

The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is the action plan for gender equity for promoting gender equity within research organisations and higher education institutions, in line with the European Commission’s requirement that such a plan be in place as a prerequisite for participation in all Horizon Europe research funding calls.

The Gender Commission of the University of Brescia is responsible for drafting, periodically updating and implementing the GEP to achieve its defined objectives.

The Gender Equality Plan of the University of Brescia is a strategic policy instrument aimed at integrating a gender perspective into research, innovation, and academic life. It seeks to foster a culture of respect, combat discrimination, and actively promote gender equality.

The GEP is embedded within the University’s overall strategic framework: it forms part of the University Programme and the Strategic Plan, is aligned with the Positive Action Plan (PAP), and is developed in continuity with the Gender Budgeting Report, which falls under the responsibility of the CUG. Following the guidelines of the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MIUR), the plan is structured into five key areas:

• organisational culture and work/life balance;
• gender balance in top positions in decision-making bodies;
• gender equality in recruitment and career progression;
• gender mainstreaming in research and teaching programmes;
• contrasting gender based violence including sexual harassment.

Each area defines specific objectives. which are pursued through concrete actions. For every objective, the plan identifies direct and indirect beneficiaries, institutional and operational responsibilities, human and financial resources, evaluation indicators, timelines, and links to the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Gender Equality Plan 2025-2027 was formally approved by provision No. 356 of the Board of Directors on December 17, 2024. 

The first Gender Equality Plan 2022-2024 was approved by resolution no. 90 of the Academic Senate on 27 April 2022 and drafted by a specially constituted working group, the GEP Team. Among the measures introduced during this initial three-year period -later consolidated in the 2025–2027 GEP- was the establishment of the University of Brescia’s Gender Commission. This body is tasked with implementing the Gender Equality Plan and has effectively replaced the original GEP Team.

The Gender Commission consists of 12 members: 7 representatives of teaching and research staff, 3 representatives of technical-administrative staff and 2 student representatives. The Commission appoints a President, who also serves as the University’s Gender Policy Representative, responsible for the strategic and operational coordination of the actions identified in the GEP. The President also provides the necessary input to monitor and assess the implementation status of the measures planned to promote gender equality across all areas and components of the university community.