The employees of all FS Italiane Group companies have joined the Scarpe Rosse (Red Shoes) initiative throughout Italy, bringing a pair of red shoes to the workplace to be photographed individually or together before sharing the images. The shoes, as a representation of the victims of violence, are a way of reminding everyone that we cannot remain indifferent to this issue.

A special train in Sicily, organised by the Sicilian Region and entitled Tu Non Sei Sola, set out from Catania to Palermo, where 50 students from Catania and Palermo took part in a flash mob, planted an olive tree at the station and unveiled a plaque in memory of the victims of violence. In Reggio Calabria San Gregorio, to raise awareness amongst passengers and citizens alike, the workers of the FS Italiane Group's Equal Opportunities Committee met with representatives of the association Il Cuore di Medea that regularly welcomes female victims of violence in dedicated rooms of the station. In Bolzano and Genoa, a photographic exhibition on the subject took place. This morning, a flash mob was also held in the station of Ravenna.

These are some of the initiatives in which the FS Group supports the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, established by the United Nations General Assembly on 17 December 1999. The occasion represents the most important moment of the year to speak about, provide information and raise awareness regarding this serious issue that affects every country around the world.

Gianfranco Battisti, CEO and General Director of the FS Italiane Group, today met with one of the photographers behind the shots representing the many women to have willingly taken part.

“The FS Group's commitment to combating violence against women is constant”, underlined Gianfranco Battisti. “Our Group protects people from acts of violence and counters any discriminatory or harmful attitude or behaviour towards the person, their beliefs and preferences. We strongly believe in the values of inclusiveness and diversity, being focused on enhancing professional talents and implementing best practices in the industrial processes.”

Physical, psychological, verbal or sexual violence is a phenomenon that all employees of the Group—at every level of professional responsibility — have always fought against, considering that every woman has the right to live in complete freedom and to be respected as a human being.

The FS Italiane Group's Equal Opportunities Committee collaborates with the experts of the National Volunteer Association of Telefono Rosa — Onlus, founded in 1988 to defend women suffering physical, psychological, economic and sexual violence. Counselling and refuge services, legal and psychological consultation, parenting support and anti-stalking branches operative around the clock are just some of the activities that Telefono Rosa undertakes. FS Italiane in support of Valore D, the association of large companies established to support female leadership in order to enhance women's professional growth.

The FS Italiane Group's commitment to promoting inclusiveness and diversity is also acknowledged by the European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, Violeta Bulc, who appointed Gianfranco Battisti, CEO and General Director of the FS Italiane Group, as “European Ambassador for Diversity” in the framework of Women in Transport — EU Platform for Change. The platform, of which the Group is a member, aims to balance the transport sector from a gender perspective and promote female employment, which reaches a mere 22% in this sector at a European level.