Yesterday morning, a meaningful ceremony took place, attended by city authorities, representatives of the Zonta Club Alassio – Albenga, the “Artemisia Gentileschi” Antiviolence Centre, several Garlenda associations, the Carabinieri of Villanova d’Albenga, pupils from the Garlenda primary school, and numerous citizens.
The Red Bench initiative, proposed by the Zonta Club, is part of a awareness project against violence towards women. This project involves the Garlenda Municipality and runs from November 25 to December 10, with the Municipality and the war memorial in Piazza IV Novembre lit in orange.
During the event, Ilaria Renzullo, a Carabinieri officer from the Villanova d’Albenga station, emphasized: “The important thing is to make people understand that this red bench is not just urban furniture; each red bench is an act of hope, a step towards a fairer world, where every woman can live in safety and dignity. It describes a VOICE THAT SILENTLY SCREAMS, a call for solidarity, equality, and respect for women, and it is a commitment from everyone: from institutions to civil society, from family to friends.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, schoolchildren delivered readings on the topic of violence against women.
Mariagrazia Timo, president of the Zonta Club Alassio Albenga, expressed her gratitude to the Municipality of Garlenda for joining the “Zonta says no – Orange the world” campaign. She emphasized the importance of working towards a world where femicide and violence against women, in all its forms, no longer exist.
Mayor Alessandro Navone concluded the event by thanking the participants, especially the school pupils, who are the intended recipients of this awareness message. He announced that the red bench, featuring an informative plaque, will remain available to the community in Milite Ignoto Square.
