Violence against women: a red bench at the Cardarelli in Naples

Naples' Cardarelli Hospital stands with women to say no to gender-based violence. Today, a red bench was placed along the hospital's avenues, symbolizing the fight against violence against women. This symbolic gesture follows the more concrete one of launching the Percorso Rosa (Pink Path) and the opening of the Dafne Center two years ago. "When we decided to launch the Dafne Center and the Percorso Rosa," explained Cardarelli General Manager Ciro Verdoliva, "we knew a very difficult journey lay ahead, but it was a duty of conscience for us. Unfortunately, gender-based violence is a very present phenomenon in our society, and with this red bench, we want to tell everyone that Cardarelli is ready to fight its battle alongside women and that we intend to expand our support and assistance efforts for victims of violence." According to the reported numbers, in the first six months of 2018, 127 women have benefited from the Pink Pathway at the Cardarelli emergency room, compared to 191 cases in 2017. 73 women have contacted staff at the Dafne Center, compared to 113 cases in 2017. "Installing the red bench may seem like a small thing," said the regional councilor for equal opportunities, Chiara Marciani, "but we must start with small things. Violence against women is a national problem to which we must provide systemic, cultural, and structural responses. This bench is intended to be a warning and an opportunity to convey this message to as many people as possible." The installation was also attended by the medical director, Franco Paradiso, and the administrative director of the Cardarelli, Anna Iervolino, who emphasized that "this bench must be a place to reflect and find the strength to learn and teach the power of respect for women."