An Italian Jew who revolutionized statistics is now the new G20 women’s group leader

Linda Laura Sabbadini entered the field of statstics with an eye for change, and before long was known as a European pioneer of using the discipline to broaden gender studies research.

It was likely with this contribution in mind that Sabbadini, now central director at ISTAT (the Italian Institute of Statistics), was appointed late last year to head up the W20 (Women 20), a G20 engagement group dedicated, as its name suggests, to women’s issues.

When asked on how did she start to deal with studies on inequality, discrimination, gender issues, women and other social phenomena. “I fought to strengthen the measurement of social phenomena because traditionally statistical institutes are based on the economy. Social studies have always been overshadowed., She answered.