Banca Transilvania stood with the Romanian community in Italy, the Mereu Aproape Foundation, the SHERO community and the Embassy of Romania in Italy, as part of the “Love Wears Red Shoes” campaign, dedicated to raising awareness of and preventing violence against women.

The event took place on September 12, in Rome, and featured two symbolic moments — a flash mob on the Terrazza del Pincio and an open discussion, hosted by the Embassy of Romania in Italy, about courage, solidarity and the community’s role in supporting women in vulnerable situations.

Red shoes, the international symbol of the fight against violence against women, stand for strength, confidence and the courage to take the first step toward change for the SHERO community.

At the event, Banca Transilvania raised an issue that can make a difference: financial independence. Access to financial education, the ability to manage one’s own resources and the freedom to make decisions contribute to economic growth and to women’s confidence.

I believe financial independence begins when you can say: I know what I have, I know what I can do, I know I can make decisions for myself. In more than 20 years in banking, I have seen many women make exactly this journey. Some started with very little; others built extraordinary businesses. Some saved for their children’s education. There are many stories behind the word diaspora — about courage, longing, work, sacrifice. Women who learned a new language, worked, raised children, cared for parents and supported families back in Romania financially. Sometimes they took care of everyone, and we owe it to them to remind them from time to time that they need to take care of themselves as well.

Oana Ilaș
Deputy CEO Retail Banking
Banca Transilvania

By taking part in this initiative, Banca Transilvania reaffirms its support for projects that help build stronger, safer and more united communities, both in Romania and across the diaspora.