The sustainability disclosure on gender equality: Insights from Italian agri-food listed companies

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent common goals on a set of important development issues in order to put the world on the path to sustainability. Notably, most of the 17 SDGs refer to gender issues, highlighting the importance of this topic globally. In this study, the authors focus attention on the agricultural sector, which is increasingly having a massive and transversal impact on SDGs. In this particular industry, gender sustainability is in danger and need deep reflection and urgent action. Indeed, gaps between men and women in career and payroll opportunities remain wide. However, regulations for greater transparency and disclosure on social, as well as environmental, issues can help reduce them. This chapter will highlight some case studies taken from Italian listed companies operating in the commodities sector – food, beverages, and tobacco. Results suggest a low level of disclosure on gender equality, although the increasing requirement for gender equity in agri-food companies by food sovereignty. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.