This monograph is a comparative study of legal initiatives and social practices on equality and non-discrimination, from a gender perspective, in two European legal systems, namely Spain and Italy. The two countries share significant historical, cultural, social and legal similarities and are alike in the respective legal structures, territorial organisation and distribution of competences. This comparative study of the legal structures provides a general analysis and offers a dual perspective as it is organised in such a way as to show both the overall and specific regulatory sources and the contributions of science and jurisprudence to this subject in both countries. The ultimate legal context of this study is the European Social Law. This conceptual framework is aimed at harmonising the different national legislations on non-discrimination policies and the promotion of effective equality for women and men.