Ana Mazzeo on SkyTG24 About Gender Equality: “For Real Change to Happen, We Need to Start from the Ground Up”

During a recent episode of Timeline on SkyTG24, dedicated to gender equality and women’s economic independence, Ana Mazzeo – Managing Director of WOBI Italy – shared her personal and professional experience in a stimulating discussion alongside Linda Laura Sabbadini, statistician at the Board of Women 20, and Professor Sara De Vido, Rector’s Delegate for Equal Opportunities at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

The debate opened with a concerning statistic: Only one in three families in Italy achieves true income parity between partners. A figure that highlights how low female employment remains a key issue, closely tied to economic vulnerability and the difficulty many women face in achieving independence.

Ana Mazzeo emphasized that, despite some progress, “There is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to structural change,” explaining that “real support is needed from both institutions and companies to enable women to work, grow professionally, and still be present in family life.”

Sharing her perspective as a woman, mother, and executive, Mazzeo stressed that the ability to balance career and family must be backed by concrete policies and a broad cultural shift. She pointed out that women’s work must be recognized as an essential element in the economic and organizational balance of modern families.

One of her most powerful remarks was a call to lead by example: “I hope my work and commitment can also inspire my two daughters. Work is a value for me, and it should be for many – if not all – women, because through work we contribute to society and feel we have a voice.”

Mazzeo also highlighted a significant shift within the World Business Forum Milano: for the first time, the number of female speakers exceeds that of male speakers. “I believe in women,” she said, “as managers, leaders, and policymakers. But for real change to happen, we need to start from the ground up, step by step.” This year, the World Business Forum Milano will host a remarkable lineup of women leaders, including Brené Brown, Amal Clooney, y Federica Pellegrini–alongside many other inspiring voices from around the world.

The conversation reflected a shared vision: the need for a collective, cross-sector effort that involves institutions, businesses, families, and – as Professor De Vido reminded – also men. Only by working together will it be possible to break down persistent stereotypes and build a more equitable future for everyone.