A2A: where violence finds no place
For years, A2A has been running a program to prevent and combat gender-based violence through a systemic approach integrated into the company’s culture and DE&I strategy, with training programs, awareness campaigns, and listening opportunities through surveys.
Training initiatives in this area are offered to every person in the Group (nearly 15,000 employees), with particular attention to managers, who play a key role in spreading an inclusive culture and fostering prevention—for example, through webinars and courses dedicated to men or focused on women’s empowerment.
A key part of this commitment also extends to schools, where meetings are organized on STEM subjects or to showcase female role models, engaging and inspiring girls and boys by presenting the professions of the future. On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Group installed red benches at several offices to raise awareness about the importance of preventing and opposing this kind of violence.
“To promote an increasingly inclusive work environment, we established some time ago an Inclusion Team, made up of more than 100 volunteer colleagues of different seniority levels, genders, abilities, and company roles. The team is divided into five thematic groups: Gender, Generations, LGBTQI+, Cultures, and Disability. Each group is led by an HR representative and Co-leaders from various business areas, supported by A2A’s Executive Committee, ensuring full integration with the company’s strategy. These teams develop awareness projects, share training experiences, listening sessions, and initiatives to improve processes—contributing to tangible, collective cultural change,” adds Ghilardi.
A2A also places great importance on partnerships with associations and external networks through inter-company working groups aimed at sharing best practices and amplifying cultural impact. One of the Group’s core values is listening to its people. A2A has therefore conducted an internal, anonymous survey on harassment and discrimination to assess awareness and perceptions regarding gender-based violence. The survey was translated into several languages, reflecting the multicultural nature of the workforce, and made screen-reader compatible to ensure accessibility for everyone.
Based on the survey results, the Group has launched a working team to draft a policy for the prevention of violence, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace, aiming to ensure a safe and inclusive environment. The policy will provide confidential reporting channels and enable prompt, effective action to protect those involved. The launch of the policy will be accompanied by mandatory, specialized training. In addition, self-defense courses will be offered to help participants build confidence and learn practical tools and strategies for responding to violent situations.
A2A thus continues its commitment to spreading a culture of respect, integrating the fight against violence into business processes, making inclusion an everyday operational principle, and offering a safe work environment where gender-based violence has no place. “Only a shared alliance—uniting everyone in the fight against violence—can help us build workplaces that are increasingly safe and respectful. Change begins every day with our actions, at work and in everyday life,” concludes Mauro Ghilardi.