Carrefour: always standing with women

“Our Code of Ethics contains principles and values that everyone should be inspired by. It promotes respect and the protection of the dignity of every individual and combats all forms of discrimination. It encourages diversity, inclusion, and transparency, and establishes a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, abuse and harassment, sexist behavior, and all forms of violence,” says Greta Bonsignore, Director of Corporate and Internal Communications, Public Affairs and CSR.

To put these principles into practice, Carrefour has developed a wide range of internal and external initiatives and collaborations that contribute to best practices and help employees feel safe. The company has implemented a reporting system that includes both a web channel and a telephone line, widely publicized to encourage employees to come forward and report any behavior that violates the Code of Ethics. Users of this service are guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality, and the Compliance function is responsible for investigating and initiating thorough inquiries to prevent or address risky behaviors.

Continuous training on gender-based violence is provided to all employees through in-person sessions, webinars, podcasts, and newsletters. These activities raise awareness about inclusive and respectful language, free of gender stereotypes, and offer participants practical exercises to recognize hidden forms of violence and develop the knowledge and tools to counteract them. One of the highlights of Carrefour Italy’s policy is the ongoing training conducted in stores to raise awareness and explain what constitutes harassment, prevent misconduct, abuse, discrimination, and violence in the workplace.

For several years, Carrefour has collaborated with Mindwork, which provides free psychological support to all employees. Starting this year, the service has been extended to victims of violence who report cases of abuse and discrimination through the company portal. Several self-defense courses and seminars led by professionals are also offered to female employees, aiming to strengthen self-esteem and self-awareness.

Since 2025, Carrefour Italy has been a member of the PARI Association, a network of companies and organizations united against gender-based violence to promote cultural change starting in the workplace. Through its own experience and the sharing of best practices, Carrefour contributed to drafting the policy developed by Valore D in collaboration with the Una Nessuna Centomila Foundation, “From Silence to Action: How Companies Can Act and Network Against Gender-Based and Domestic Violence,” which aims to provide companies with effective tools to protect and support employees who are victims of violence and to make workplaces welcoming and safe.

“All of this rests on a strong commitment to gender equality in the company: we want to build an organization that promotes equity and values female talent, offering concrete tools such as our policy supporting new parents, leave options for women suffering from endometriosis, female empowerment programs, and much more. In 2023, we became the first national retail chain to achieve Benefit Corporation status, pursuing the creation of a safe and inclusive work environment as one of our common benefit objectives. Year after year, we aim to continue improving on these issues.” Carrefour has also earned the GEDEIS and UNI PDR 125:2022 certifications.

“As businesses, we have the duty and the power to drive not only economic but also cultural and social transformation. At Carrefour, we are aware of the key role we can play in combating gender-based violence through our stores, which are present in all communities, always accessible, and visited daily by thousands of people. For this reason, we carry out multiple initiatives to raise public awareness, activate social consciousness, and offer support to victims of violence,” Bonsignore continues. “Every year on November 25, we organize the sale of Carrefour cyclamens in our stores in collaboration with WeWorld Onlus to raise funds for women and children affected by violence. Through WeWorld, we have also trained over 100 employees working at checkout counters to act as first contact and support for victims of violence.”

In stores, the anti-violence and anti-stalking helpline 1522 is consistently made visible and accessible: on the back of receipts, on bread bags, and on pins worn by store staff. These efforts are complemented—on store aisles, internal radio, and social media—by high-impact communication campaigns to raise public awareness about gender-based violence, educate on its various forms, and provide concrete tools for both employees and the public.

Since November 2024, Carrefour’s collaboration with DonneXStrada has turned over 30 Carrefour stores in cities such as Milan, Rome, Turin, and Bergamo into Purple Points, selected for their 24-hour operation or visibility within the community. These locations provide safe spaces for everyone, with trained staff, recognizable signage, and directions integrated into the DonneXStrada geolocation system.

Additionally, many stores collaborate with local associations to collect hygiene products and other essentials through a “suspended cart” initiative for women victims of violence. Projects are also underway with the Casa Luigi Foundation in Bergamo and the Felicita Morandi ETS Foundation in Varese to provide professional reintegration opportunities for women who are victims of violence, helping them rebuild their lives, including professionally.