Technology and training against gender-based violence

How do Fastweb + Vodafone address the issue of gender-based violence?
For years, both at Fastweb and Vodafone, we have been committed to helping create a more equitable society, starting with fostering a culture of respect. We believe that educating people—beginning with our colleagues—to recognize, counter, and prevent the different forms of gender-based violence, whether physical, psychological, or economic, and to help direct victims to anti-violence centers is extremely important for a company with 7,000 employees, hundreds of suppliers, and daily contact with thousands of people. Building awareness and providing training on these issues are the first steps toward making a long-term impact. As a business, we feel a responsibility to act as a driver of transformation not only economically, but also culturally and socially.

What do you do in practice?
First of all, we provide training internally and for the staff in our retail stores, who interact with customers on a daily basis. We have around 8,000 points of sale throughout Italy, and in nearly 100 of them we have already launched training programs through collaborations with Fondazione Libellula and the Casa delle Donne Maltrattate in Milan. We have an internal policy against gender-based violence, which provides psychological support and paid leave. We also adhere to PARI., an association of companies and organizations that share the same vision of a society free from gender-based violence. Finally, we make our technology available through an app: Bright Sky.

What does it offer?
It is a completely free app, whose content was developed together with the operators of the Casa delle Donne Maltrattate in Milan. It is intended not only for women who are victims of violence, but also for friends and family members, as it includes a feature that allows users to answer an assessment questionnaire to understand whether they are experiencing abuse or witnessing a risky relationship. It also provides access to a map of major anti-violence centers across the country, including the D.i.Re network of centers, to locate the nearest place to seek help. In addition, it allows users to keep a personal diary (which may also be useful for legal purposes). With Bright Sky, it is also possible to call emergency services quickly through a direct dial to 112.

How widespread is it, and where can it be downloaded?
The app has already been downloaded by over 300,000 women in Italy and is available for free on all major online stores, both Android and iOS. We believe it can be a first step toward becoming informed, finding support, and gaining awareness. If a woman is in an emergency situation, our advice is always to go to an anti-violence center, where she can be welcomed, guided, and supported by specialized staff. Bright Sky is an additional resource that we offer to the community to strongly combat all forms of violence and abuse.