Report on San Marino’s Progress Towards Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment

Introduction: Aligning National Policy with Sustainable Development Goals

The Republic of San Marino has demonstrated significant progress in addressing its gender wage gap, aligning national efforts with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These initiatives directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Historically, the nation has faced challenges related to gender discrimination, including a significant imbalance in leadership roles, where men occupy 73% of management positions. This disparity highlights a critical area for improvement in line with SDG Target 5.5, which calls for women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership. This report details the policy measures undertaken by San Marino to foster gender equality and empower its female workforce.

Key Policy Interventions and SDG Alignment

Bolstering the Female Workforce to Achieve SDG 8

San Marino’s government has implemented a series of targeted measures to promote full and productive employment for women and ensure equal pay for work of equal value, as mandated by SDG Target 8.5. These actions include:

• Employer Incentives: The government has introduced tax reductions for employers who hire female workers, directly encouraging an increase in female participation in full-time employment.
• Support for Working Mothers: Provisions have been established to accommodate the needs of female employees with family responsibilities. New mothers have the option to accept part-time contracts, providing economic stability while balancing personal duties.
• Strengthening Institutional Justice (SDG 16): The planned 2026 implementation of an Office of the Ombudsman will create a formal mechanism for workers to report and combat discrimination. This institution will be vital for enforcing non-discriminatory policies, a key component of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Promoting Financial Transparency and Female Entrepreneurship

San Marino has made strides in institutional reform and legislative support to create an enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment.

1. Commitment to International Standards (SDG 17): After being placed on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ‘grey list’ in 2002 for a lack of tax information transparency, San Marino now fully complies with international standards. This commitment to data sharing, in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), allows for effective monitoring of progress on economic indicators, including the gender wage gap.
2. Fostering Female Entrepreneurship (SDG 5): A pending government bill aims to provide guidance and support for women under the age of 35 to establish their own e-businesses. This legislative measure directly supports women’s equal rights to economic resources and opportunities, a core objective of SDG 5.

Educational Reforms to Advance Gender Equality (SDG 4)

Recognizing that sustainable change requires a shift in societal norms, San Marino has integrated gender equality into its educational framework, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education), specifically Target 4.7, which focuses on education for sustainable development and gender equality.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: An open exhibition featuring the work of primary and secondary school students on the ‘fight against violence against women’ was held to engage the public and promote a culture of equality.
• Higher Education Curriculum: The University of San Marino has introduced academic modules addressing gender-based issues and patterns of discrimination, ensuring that future leaders are equipped with the knowledge to champion gender equality.

Conclusion

San Marino’s comprehensive approach, combining legislative action, institutional reform, and educational initiatives, demonstrates a strong commitment to closing the gender wage gap. These efforts are intrinsically linked to the global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 8, SDG 16, and SDG 17. The nation’s progress serves as a model, reinforcing that tackling gender inequality is a universal priority, essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive development regardless of a country’s size.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article’s central theme is the gender wage gap in San Marino, which is a key aspect of gender equality. It discusses issues such as gender discrimination, violence against women, underrepresentation of women in leadership positions (men hold 73% of management roles), and policies aimed at empowering the female workforce.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article addresses decent work by focusing on employment conditions, wages, and labor rights. It details government incentives to increase female employment, provisions for maternity leave and part-time contracts, and the establishment of an Ombudsman’s office to handle workplace discrimination, all of which contribute to creating decent work and economic stability for women.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article highlights the role of education in promoting gender equality. It mentions that past issues arose from an “educational curriculum that did not place enough emphasis on gender equality and human rights.” It then describes recent educational reforms, including public exhibitions and the introduction of university modules addressing gender-based issues and discrimination.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The article connects the gender wage gap to a “larger trend of gender discrimination” and mentions the creation of an Office of the Ombudsman to “combat discrimination” in the workplace.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making. The article directly addresses this target by stating that “men make up 73% of management positions,” which “reinforces how the female workforce is underrepresented in positions of authority.” The nation’s efforts are aimed at changing this narrative.
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The article describes several policies and legislative measures, such as reducing taxation on female workers, a bill to help women start e-businesses, and educational reforms, all of which are concrete examples of this target.

2. Targets under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for equal work. The entire article is framed around narrowing the “gender wage gap,” which directly relates to the principle of equal pay for equal work. Government incentives to increase female employment and provisions for maternity leave aim to achieve fuller, more productive employment for women.
   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. The planned implementation of the “Office of the Ombudsman” is a direct measure to protect labor rights, as it “provides an outlet where workers can raise issues which have arisen at the workplace including ‘combatting discrimination.’”

3. Targets under SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for… gender equality and human rights. The article mentions educational reforms, including a public exhibition by school children on the “fight against violence against women” and the introduction of “higher educational modules addressing gender based issues and patterns of discrimination” at the University of San Marino.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex. The article implies this indicator through its mention of specific policies and legal frameworks being implemented, such as the bill for female e-businesses and the new Office of the Ombudsman planned for 2026.
   • Indicator 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions. The article provides a direct statistic that can be used as a baseline for this indicator: “men make up 73% of management positions,” meaning women hold the remaining 27%. Progress would be measured by an increase in this percentage.

2. Indicators for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities. The article’s focus on the “gender wage gap” and San Marino’s recent commitment to “publicly sharing data collated on tax information” with the OECD implies the collection and monitoring of wage data, which is the basis for this indicator.

3. Indicators for SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in national education policies and curricula. The article provides concrete examples of this mainstreaming, such as the “educational reforms,” the public exhibition by primary and secondary school children, and the new university modules on gender issues.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org