November 25: Together against violence towards women

International day for the elimination of violence against women: Plenitude’s Initiatives for women’s empowerment.

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Violence against women manifests itself in various forms, some overt and others more insidious and silent. Among these, economic violence represents a serious phenomenon that is often underestimated. It is rooted in societal archetypes: the man who financially supports the family and manages finances, and the woman who takes care of children and the household. Restricting access to financial resources, controlling expenses, and limiting decision-making autonomy are all forms of oppression that undermine a person’s freedom and dignity. Ipsos data from 2023 reveals that 49% of women in Italy have experienced economic violence, with the percentage rising to 67% among separated or divorced women. Additionally, 15% have to justify every expense to their partner, and 14% have experienced financial decisions made without their consultation.

On November 25, the International day for the elimination of violence against women, Plenitude actively commits to combating gender-based violence, with particular attention to economic violence, reaffirming its dedication through concrete initiatives aimed at promoting women's financial independence.

As part of its journey to support women in achieving full gender equality, Plenitude marks November 25 with an important internal event titled "A journey towards financial awareness". The testimony of Francesca Cavallo, author of the bestseller "Good night stories for rebel girls" and the autobiography "There’s a fire in the drawer” recounts the story of a woman who personally experienced economic violence and now views her money as a means of freedom and self-determination. The analysis by Edoardo Lozza, Professor of Economic Psychology at Università Cattolica of Milan, sheds light on money as the most powerful mutual trust system in human history and how women, unfortunately, have been excluded from it since the beginning.

«The gender gap in financial attitudes is real, a result of stereotypes that have solidified over time. This means that a journey towards financial awareness must address our personal relationship with money as well as some of the surprising effects money has on us. These effects and consequences are evident even in workplace contexts, highlighting the responsibility to challenge established norms and approaches» explains Edoardo Lozza.

The sharp wit of stand-up comedian Giulia Cerruti allows the challenges faced by women in taking control of their financial lives to be addressed lightly yet without diminishing their complexity. Meanwhile, Annalisa Monfreda, co-founder of Rame – a company dedicated to making financial well-being accessible to everyone – lays the foundation for a structured financial awareness program that will guide both women and men at Plenitude in the coming months.

«Economic violence is one of those issues where awareness is crucial: the moment a person realizes they are a victim, they are already on the path to overcoming it. Companies can play a vital role in fostering this awareness and driving cultural change. This is because employee well-being also depends on their financial security and their ability to make autonomous decisions» explains Annalisa Monfreda.

Plenitude’s commitment to combating gender-based violence also extends to sports, a universal language that reaches a broad and diverse audience. It joins forces with Olimpia Milano for an awareness campaign against gender stereotypes, focusing on economic violence.

During the warm-up of the EuroLeague game on November 21 against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olimpia players used basketballs inscribed with emblematic phrases reflecting common stereotypes: “You belong to me”, “She was asking for it”, “She doesn’t need to work, I take care of her”, “I manage the money because you can’t”, “Women are reckless spenders”. These phrases also inspired artwork by artists like Costanza Starraba, Shut Up Claudia, Elisa Puglielli, Isabella Bersellini, and Martina Filippella. Their designs and interviews are available on Plenitude’s social media channels, amplifying the campaign’s reach digitally.

Plenitude’s efforts translate into tangible support for victims of violence, as demonstrated by Adriaplin, a subsidiary of Plenitude operating in Slovenia. Adriaplin supports CSD Južna Primorska, one of the 16 Social Assistance Centers in Slovenia. Since 2012, this center has run the "Safe house Kras" program, offering shelter, assistance, and psychological support to women and children affected by domestic violence. From 2012 to 2023, "Safe house Kras" has hosted 329 people (163 women and 166 children). Adriaplin actively contributed to the project by funding renovations and purchasing furniture and equipment for the shelter in the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica (Bisterza).

Promoting a culture of respect and gender equality is an ongoing effort for Plenitude, extending beyond single awareness days. Plenitude’s dedication is evidenced by the gender equality certification it achieved this year under the UNI PdR 125:2022 guidelines, following an audit by Certiquality, a leading certification body for businesses. This certification recognizes the company’s efforts to enhance gender equity within its organization, as highlighted in the 2023 Sustainability and Impact Report.

The report reveals that the gender pay gap (calculated at equal role level and seniority) stands at 97*. The goal is to achieve full pay parity by 2025, along with gender balance within the organization, which reached 47.7% at the end of 2023.

*Gender pay ratio calculated at equal role level and seniority