A red bench to say NO to gender-based violence

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we are proud to share a project that holds deep meaning for us: the creation of a red bench in Parco delle Cave, a public park in Milan.

In Italy, red benches are a symbolic reminder of the ongoing fight against gender-based violence — a visible call to awareness, reflection, and action.

The bench was painted by a group of Italtel colleagues in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan, as a tangible contribution to promoting a culture of respect, non-violence, and equality.

We chose to dedicate our bench to Saman Abbas, a young woman whose tragic story became a national symbol in Italy and continues to raise awareness about women’s rights and protection.

During the project, a meaningful moment emerged: while painting the Italian national anti-violence hotline number (1522) in white, Saman’s face reappeared on a newspaper clipping used to protect the bench. A coincidence that added emotional resonance and reinforced the purpose of our initiative.

With this bench, placed close to our headquarters, we wanted to leave a public symbol for our community — an invitation to recognize gender-based violence, to stand against it, and to support a more inclusive and respectful society every day.

The video captures key moments from the field and the value this initiative represents within our broader social responsibility commitment.