The delegate of the Government in Castilla y León, Nicanor Sen, yesterday called on men to be “a part of the solution” to the problem of machismo and praised institutional unity in the central event that took place at the Hostal de San Marcos.
The Government delegate also highlighted the challenge posed by the low rate of complaints. More than 70% of the fatal victims had never reported it. «This underlines the crucial role of nearby environments. Every conversation, every gesture of support can make a difference,” he said, urging citizens to be an active support for the victims.
The president of the Provincial Council, Gerardo Álvarez Courel, drew attention to the proliferation of political philosophies “that look the other way and do not see reality.” The Board's delegate in León, Eduardo Diego, expressed the Board's commitment “to the agreements and awareness” that they promote. The rector of the ULE, Nuria González, committed the University “to a vice-rector's office for Equality” and the mayor of León, José Antonio Diez, recognized the work of the associations “that support the victims every day.”
Event held at the Bierzo Regional CouncilANA F. BARREDO
The event opened with a minute of silence in memory of the victims. The government's subdelegate in León, Héctor Alaiz, made history of the celebration, but regretted that the problem remains valid today, “in a violent, sexual or economic way.”
The president of the Subcommittee on Violence against Women of the Bar Association and dean of León's lawyers, Fernando Rodríguez Santocildes, gave the introductory speech. He made history of the murders in the Dominican Republic, which led to the creation of this day and highlighted that the Organic Law that regulates this type of crime is a milestone in the history of the country. “Spain is the most aware country in Europe about this problem,” he said.
The concentration called by CC OO and UGT was the first act of commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Ponferrada and figures were offered that allow a map of sexist violence in the judicial district of Ponferrada (Bierzo and Laciana). There have been 189 complaints and 28 protection orders have been issued. Another fact that unions attach great importance to is that only 7% of cases of sexual harassment at work are reported.
Afterwards, the action moved to the Regional Council, where a manifesto was read, there was a minute of silence and its president, Olegario Ramón, also offered data that summarizes the work that the institution carries out in matters of equality. Until the end of September, it has served 30 women between 22 and 68 years old and “only three had some financial independence.”
“They are mainly Spanish, compared to a third of foreign women, and we work from a comprehensive point of view,” said Ramón, mentioning the 'Alba Empleo' project, in which we have been working since 2021 and through which they have spent almost 50 women. Currently, there are 27 who are looking for a job and life opportunity,” he noted.
The Ponferrada City Council also commemorated 25-N and announced an increase in equality policies at a time when the Women's Center serves 160 women in vulnerable situations, not only due to gender violence. There were 177 in 2023. For its part, the Telephone Service for Attention and Protection for victims of gender violence (Atenpro) has served 33, compared to 32 the previous year and there are 20 active devices, according to the information provided by the service itself. Town Hall. The event of the Platform Against Sexist Violence of Bierzo and Laciana in front of the Ponferrada Town Hall was the final event of the day in a region where 25-N all municipalities had visibility.
