Florence, October 22, 2025. According to the latest ISTAT report, in Italy only 16.8% of women aged 25 to 34 hold a degree in science and technology fields, compared to 37% of men. The female employment rate in the “science and mathematics” area is 6.3 percentage points lower than that of men, while in the “computer science, engineering, and architecture” area, the gap exceeds 9%. These figures highlight the persistence of stereotypes that limit women's access to certain fields of study and, consequently, to related career opportunities—often considering these disciplines as the exclusive domain of men.

For this reason, Italo continues its commitment to supporting women and fighting such disparities. Most recently, in March 2025, the company launched a project dedicated to the “forgotten women”: an initiative aimed at celebrating Italian female figures who have made significant contributions to science, culture, and human rights, yet remain largely unknown to the public and younger generations.

Today, at the Italo Club Lounge in Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station—recently renovated to enhance elegance and comfort—the event “Italo and STEM: Stories That Inspire the Future” took place. It was a moment of dialogue on the role of STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as drivers of professional growth, pay equity, and social innovation.

Among the concrete actions promoted by Italo within the project are:

the award of a STEM scholarship to a young female researcher to support her access to high-level educational paths;

the dedication of a train to Maria Del Rio, a pioneer in Italian medicine and psychiatry known for integrating art and science in therapeutic approaches for children with cognitive disorders (following the earlier dedication of a train to Laura Bassi Veratti, the first female university professor in Europe).

The event featured prominent figures from various fields, united by the desire to promote an inclusive and forward-looking culture, including:

Martina Marmotta, Head of Organizational Development and Internal Communication at Italo;

Fabiana Giacomotti, journalist and fashion historian, who also curates a monthly column in Italo Magazine highlighting Italian women who contributed to scientific and technological progress;

Camilla Esclapon, veterinarian and entrepreneur;

Valentina Pagliai, Head of Educational Projects at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia.

The discussion was moderated by journalist Lisa Ciardi.

The goal of the project is to encourage future female students to pursue studies in science and technology, promoting access, ensuring equal pay, and expanding career opportunities. This commitment aligns with Italo Group’s vision, which has always focused on innovation, sustainability, and the empowerment of people.

“At Italo, we believe that gender equality is not just a value, but a concrete and daily commitment. Being at the forefront of promoting equality means building, day by day, a work environment where everyone can fully express their potential, respecting diversity and equal opportunities. That’s why we’ve launched internal training and awareness programs to increase understanding, foster dialogue, and promote an inclusive corporate culture. Our direction is to continue developing policies and initiatives that support equity, ensuring equal access to career paths and a workplace that values everyone’s talent, without distinction,”says Martina Marmotta, Head of Organizational Development and Internal Communication at Italo.

Italo employs about 50% women out of a total of 1,500 staff. Female presence spans all levels of the organization: 61% of Train Managers are women, and around 10 women work as train drivers, marking a significant step forward in recognizing female talent in traditionally male technical roles. Moreover, 40% of leadership roles at Italo are held by women—a result that reflects the company’s commitment to promoting balanced and representative leadership.

The commitment to inclusion goes beyond gender. At Italo, four generations coexist, with an average age of 36, and a team representing over 35 nationalities.

“Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia has been active for years in promoting equal access to education and employment for women. We run several educational projects for young girls from vulnerable or unique backgrounds, including initiatives for Ukrainian women hosted at our Human Rights House in Florence. We also monitor equal access to education and combat female school dropout through targeted programs,”says Valentina Pagliai, Head of Educational Projects at RFK Italia.

“I’m very happy and proud that Italo has embraced this project, aimed at rediscovering forgotten women to include in history books—a concrete step to highlight female excellence from the past. Moreover, the company has decided to support a young woman’s STEM journey with a scholarship, helping her access higher education,”says Fabiana Giacomotti, journalist and fashion historian.

“In my professional journey, I’ve had to face stereotypes as a woman. First, because the veterinary field—although populated by many women—was seen as a hobby and not recognized for the professionalism built through years of study and sacrifice. Then, as a mother, I balanced my career with family life, breaking down barriers that unfortunately still exist for women in the workplace,”shares Camilla Esclapon, veterinarian and entrepreneur.

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