Insegnamento a.a. 2026-2027

Are women’s rights adequately protected in contemporary democratic societies? How should law respond to persistent forms of gender inequality and discrimination? To what extent can legal systems effectively address structural imbalances affecting women and LGBTI persons in political, economic, and social life?

The course explores these questions through a historical, comparative, and interdisciplinary perspective. It examines the evolution of women’s rights at both the domestic and international level, while engaging with feminist legal theory and gender studies to understand how legal systems have addressed — or failed to address — claims for recognition, equality, and participation.

Particular attention is devoted to the relationship between law and social change: how legal categories shape gender roles, how discrimination is produced and contested, and how rights-based frameworks interact with broader cultural and institutional dynamics.

The course addresses, among other topics:

• the historical development of women’s rights in domestic and international legal systems;
• sex and gender discrimination;
• legal responses to gender-based violence;
• equality, representation, and participation in political and economic life;
• the legal dimensions of care, work, and family relations;
• the role of courts and constitutional law in advancing gender equality;
• the protection of LGBTI persons within contemporary democratic societies.
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Through case law, legislation, and theoretical materials, students will be encouraged to critically assess the capacity of law both to reproduce and to challenge structures of gender inequality.

• Describe the historical development of women’s rights in domestic and international legal systems.
• Identify the main legal categories and concepts used to address gender discrimination and women’s rights.
• Explain the contribution of feminist legal thought and gender studies to the understanding of law and society.
• Describe the relationship between gender roles, division of labour, public responsibility, and legal regulation.
• Distinguish between women’s rights issues and broader gender-related legal questions.
• Identify the main legal instruments aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence.
• Explain how legal systems have addressed women’s participation in political, economic, and social life.

1. Identify legal situations in which law should take into consideration the specific position of women.

2. Compare the framing of legal issues before and after women’s successful vindication of their rights.

3. Interpret the law by using a critical gender approach, by identifying the peculiar position of women within the broadly defined gender issues.

4. Develop arguments to identify and challenge gender-based violence.

The course includes guest lectures delivered by scholars, practitioners, activists, and professionals working in the fields of gender law, women’s rights, anti-discrimination law, and human rights. These interventions expose students to different professional and comparative perspectives and encourage engagement with contemporary legal and societal debates.

Students will work individually and in small groups on short assignments, case studies, and presentations related to the topics discussed during the course. Collaborative activities are designed to stimulate critical discussion, comparative analysis, and the ability to connect legal concepts with broader social and institutional dynamics.

Interactive teaching methods will be used throughout the course in order to encourage active participation and critical engagement. These may include simulations, role-playing exercises, guided debates, polls, and problem-solving activities based on real or hypothetical legal scenarios concerning gender equality and women’s rights.

• Written individual exam (traditional/online)

• Collaborative Works / Assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)

• Active class participation (virtual, attendance)