Over the course of October 1st and 29th, at the 3rd Wing of the Air Force In Villafranca, two conferences were held Gender awareness, organised in collaboration with the associations “I am listening to you” and the V.O.D.A.E. (Volunteer Defibrillator Operators) of the National Association of Holders of Knightly Honours (A.N.I.O.C.).
The meetings, aimed at the Wing's personnel, were strongly desired by Commander, Colonel Francesco Russo, who in his initial greeting thanked the associations for their collaboration, emphasising the importance of addressing the issue holistically, from language to family, to the work context, as an essential element of awareness and cohesion within the Air Force.
The two appointments saw the presence of experts from different professional fields: the Psychologist Dr Viviani, It Criminologist Dr Monzani and the Director of the Peschiera del Garda Police Academy, Dr. Trevisi, who together with the representatives of the sponsoring associations, delved into the multiple aspects of gender equality and its social and professional implications, sharing experiences and stimulating direct discussion with the Wing's personnel.
It is in this context that the intervention of the two Verona-based associations promoting the initiative fits. “Io ti Ascolto” (I Listen to You), founded in 2020 on the initiative of the Municipality of Mozzecane (VR), offers Listening and support for women victims of violence, while promoting community awareness on a topic of growing social relevance.
The V.O.D.A.E. A.N.I.O.C. group, founded in Verona in 2019, operates as a volunteer team in various sectors of citizen assistance and, during the event, presented the project “Half an hour with a friend”a listening service dedicated particularly to Men's world, to support adolescents and adults in recognising and dealing with difficult situations.
During the interventions, it was highlighted how discriminatory language and behaviour represent often underestimated forms of violence, capable of impacting equality and people's dignity. It was also recalled that gender-based violence does not only concern women, but can also involve men, who often find it difficult to ask for help or to recognise their own distress.
Preventing risky behaviour means recognising the signs of violence and promoting inclusive language as a tool for mutual culture and respect.
The 3rd Wing, an entity dependent on Logistics Command Support Services, has long integrated modules dedicated to gender issues into its training courses, with particular attention to the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)) within the scope of the courses Individual Pre-Deployment Training (IPDT), in application of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2272. With this initiative, the Department wished to reaffirm its commitment to fostering a culture based on mutual respect, awareness, and prevention.
The Italian Air Force recognises the centrality of gender issues in the training and daily lives of its personnel. The promotion of equality, the combating of discrimination, and the prevention of harassment or abuse are fundamental elements for internal cohesion and for full respect for democratic values. The Armed Force's policies involve constant awareness-raising activities integrated into training and refresher courses, in line with the international regulatory framework and the principle of zero tolerance towards any form of exploitation and abuse.
