SAY obtains gender equality certification

A concrete commitment to fairness, valuing people and an inclusive culture.

A milestone that reflects the present and builds the future: SAY has received Gender Equality Certification (UNI/PdR 125:2022), confirming the company’s commitment to creating a fair, inclusive and aware working environment.

The path to certification, which involved a company work team over the past few months, was guided by clear objectives: to promote equal professional opportunities, foster a work culture based on meritocracy, and make actions related to gender equality tangible, measurable, and sustainable.

“I am proud that our company has obtained Gender Equality Certification,” says Alberto Baracco, Managing Partner and HR Manager at SAY. “I had the privilege of leading this process, which was not only a step towards compliance but a real opportunity to improve our corporate system. Meritocracy must be the guiding light for our choices, rewarding those who are committed and contribute to creating collaboration and growth.”

The recognition comes in a socio-economic context in which the gender gap is still a real challenge. According to the Bank of Italy’s report “Women, labour markets and economic growth” (2023), the female employment rate in Italy is below the European average. Not only that.

According to ISTAT, in 2023 the employment rate for the 20-64 age group rose to 66.3%, an increase of 1.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. However, significant gender imbalances persist: the female employment rate stands at 56.5%, while the male employment rate reaches 76.0%, highlighting a gap of 19.5 percentage points. Furthermore, the incidence of part-time work among women is 31.5%, compared to 8.1% among men. These figures underscore the importance of initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in the labour market.

SAY has decided to address these imbalances by measuring and improving its HR processes, corporate culture, growth opportunities, equal pay and work-life balance policies. To do this, a steering committee has been set up, specific KPIs have been defined and continuous improvement objectives have been set, as required by the UNI/PdR 125:2022 model.

“The certification achieved is certainly an important milestone for SAY, but we must consider it a starting point,” adds Anita Santalucia, Creative Director. “What really makes the difference, I believe, is living in an environment where gender equality is not just a formal goal, but a daily commitment.”

The certification, obtained through TÜV NORD Italia, also represents an opportunity in terms of competitiveness because it allows the company to attract and retain the best talent, improve organisational well-being and strengthen its reputation.

With this result, SAY demonstrates that equality is not simply a formality, but a real driver of growth for people and for business. Because every step towards equality is a step towards a fairer, more innovative and sustainable future.