A bilateral and joint business body that supports the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination between workers 

The activities proposed by the Equal Opportunities Committee (Comitato Pari Opportunità - CPO) aim at intervening on the work organisation and on culture to:

  • overcome work organisation and distribution conditions that create differences between men and women during professional training, access to jobs, in the working life and career progress;
  • promote the insertion of women into activities, professional sectors and levels where they are under-represented;
  • favour work/family conciliation even by organising work differently.

CPO is composed by:

  • 1 National CPO at Group level;
  • 15 Territorial CPOs, always Groups - CPO Liguria, CPO Piedmont / Aosta Valley, CPO Lombardy, CPO Veneto, CPO Verona / Trentino Alto Adige, CPO Friuli Venezia Giulia, CPO Emilia Romagna, CPO Tuscany, CPO Marche / Umbria / Abruzzo, CPO Lazio, CPO Campania / Molise, CPO Apulia / Basilicata, CPO Calabria, CPO Sicily, CPO Sardinia.

There is a CPO representative for every Union Organisation that has signed the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) of Railway Activities, and a corresponding number of components designated by the FS Group Companies.

The President of the national CPO is Francesca Ciuffini, who was elected in October 2017.

In order to achieve these general objectives, the Equal Opportunities Committee performs the following functions:

  • analysing and studying the characteristics of the job market and the trend of female employment in the sector from a gender perspective, by reading and processing employee data (Biennial Report), by researching and analysing sector studies, including the evolution of Italian and international legislation on equal opportunities, and identifying the needs of female workers; 
  • proposing initiatives to companies and trade unions aimed at promoting positive behaviour and actions in line with the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination, both direct and indirect, in response to the needs identified by the analysis and study;
  • raising awareness of gender issues and providing information on the positive actions taken, such as promoting work-life balance, also by using different forms of work arrangement;
  • monitoring the positive actions implemented.

In order to achieve its general objectives, the EOC performs certain specific tasks:

  • facilitating the reintegration of female workers after maternity leave and safeguarding their career paths;
  • devising initiatives aimed at promoting female employment, including in roles connected with new technologies, and their inclusion in all activities, professional sectors and levels; 
  • maintaining relations and sharing information and projects between corporate EOCs, where present;
  • gathering information and informing members of the scheme about positive initiatives taken by the companies and the results achieved;
  • developing general information and training strategies to promote behaviour in line with the principles of equal opportunities in the workplace;
  • proposing initiatives to prevent forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, including by researching the spread and characteristics of the phenomenon;
  • raising awareness of the phenomenon of violence against women.

Every year the Committees plan their work using Action Plans. The guidelines are contained in the Tableau de Bord defined by the National EOC.

Equal Opportunities Committee

EOCs plan their work through the annual Action Plans. The Action Plans are prepared according to the guidelines of the National EOC Tableau de Bord, which identifies themes and areas of intervention, based on the role and objectives assigned institutionally.  

Thematic areas

Equality and non-discrimination 

In access to employment, technical qualifications, training, career paths, key positions and pay

Working conditions

- Safety and personal dignity at work (assaults, sexual harassment, gender-based violence).

- Adequacy, health and safety of work environments and devices

- Well-being and personal respect in the workplace

- Prevention and health

Work-life balance 

- Smart-working

- Flexibility tools

- Parenting 

- Supporting welfare measures 

Gender mobility

Employee and traveller mobility

Areas of operation

  • Understanding 
  • Making recommendations
  • Informing and raising awareness
  • Monitoring

The Territorial EOCs are a crucial hub for bringing together local needs and helping to implement the positive measures promoted to support the culture of Equal Opportunities. The Territorial EOCs, in coordination with the National EOC, have promoted numerous projects and initiatives over the years, representing an important local reference point for workers.

Below are the names of the Presidents of the Territorial EOCs and the email addresses where they can be contacted.

EOC President Email address
Calabria Stefania Nisticò cpo.calabria@fsitaliane.it
Campania - Molise Alessandra Chianese cpo.campania.molise@fsitaliane.it
Emilia Romagna  Linda Guzzinati cpo.emiliaromagna@fsitaliane.it
Friuli Venezia Giulia Monica Drioli cpo.friuli@fsitaliane.it
Lazio Antonella Alfonsi cpo.lazio@fsitaliane.it
Liguria Marta Vallebella
cpo.liguria@fsitaliane.it
Lombardia Sabrina Vannini cpo.lombardia@fsitaliane.it
Marche-Umbria-Abruzzo Rachele Romagnoli cpo.marche.umbria.abruzzo@fsitaliane.it
Piemonte-Valle d'Aosta Elisa Infantino cpo.piemonte.valledaosta@fsitaliane.it
Puglia e Basilicata Elisa Corsetti cpo.puglia.basilicata@fsitaliane.it
Sardegna Roberta Saba cpo.sardegna@fsitaliane.it
Sicilia Marina Profilo cpo.sicilia@fsitaliane.it
Toscana  Viola Vasarri cpo.toscana@fsitaliane.it
Veneto-Venezia Roberta Luisa Pia Iacurso cpo.veneto@fsitaliane.it
Verona-Trentino Alto Adige Angelica Baldo cpo.verona.trentinoaltoadige@fsitaliane.it