Red Bench Installed in Santos to Raise Awareness About Violence Against Women
A 'Red Bench,' an initiative aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and promoting reporting channels, has been installed in Santos, São Paulo. The bench was placed in the quad of the Unidos da Zona Noroeste samba school on Sunday, February 12th. The local visionary behind the project, 69-year-old Aldenir Dida Dias, also known as Dida, explained that the chosen location unites the samba school with the 'Maria Vai Com As Outras' and 'AfroTu' collectives. This decision aligns with the samba school's theme for the 2027 Carnival, which will focus on the struggles of women.
The Red Bench project originated in Italy in 2016, inspired by women honoring murdered friends. Symbolically, the color red represents the blood of victims, serving as a memorial and a call for awareness. Dida stated, "It's a bench for all people to look at and remember this situation of violence that women experience." The initiative is part of 'Agosto Lilás,' a campaign against violence toward women, and complies with Law No. 14.942/2024, which mandates the installation of red benches with reflective messages and reporting channels in public spaces.
The partner groups independently constructed and decorated the bench without government funding. They operate in the region with a focus on feminist and anti-racist struggles, as well as Afro-Brazilian culture. Dida added, "The partnership arises when we meet other collectives fighting for the same goals."
The installation of the Red Bench in Santos, aligned with the 'Agosto Lilás' campaign and national legislation, represents a community-driven effort to address gender-based violence. The initiative leverages public spaces and cultural events, like the samba school's Carnival theme, to foster societal reflection and direct individuals to reporting mechanisms. This approach highlights the growing trend of civil society organizations and local collectives mobilizing to fill gaps in public awareness and support systems, often through symbolic installations and grassroots funding. The project's origin story from Italy underscores the transnational nature of feminist movements and the adoption of effective awareness tools across different cultural contexts. Future effectiveness will depend on sustained community engagement and the integration of such symbolic actions with comprehensive policy interventions to combat violence against women.
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