The municipal corporation unanimously approved the institutional manifesto for 25-N, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on Wednesday, the 26th, in an ordinary plenary session. Political and women’s groups in the municipality have agreed upon the text. “They were allowed to submit draft amendments to the ones we initially made from Equality,” explained the Councillor department, Natalia Martinez (PSOE). “Many people have been interested in this document, and we have tried to consider or assess all contributions. This manifesto seeks to raise awareness of the need to continue joining forces to fight against this social scourge that has already claimed the lives of 1,165 women since 2003. 

The document begins with a resounding rejection of the 35 macho murders registered this year, leaving 24 children without a mother. This reality “should make us think on implementing measures that cover all areas of society, education or protection so that male violence victims are comprehensive and we can reverse a situation that we cannot allow in our lives”, said the Mayor, Josele González (PSOE).

It also refers to achievements in 2022, “such as the approval of the Law on Integral Guarantee of Sexual Freedom, which enshrines the victim’s consent in sexual relations”. At the local level, the text points out that up to 333 women living in Mijas currently have a restraining order for gender violence. It also recalls the importance of developing educational programmes to prevent gender violence while proposing measures to fight against this scourge in Mijas. Also, the staff for psychological care at the Women’s Centre should be increased and implemented the budget to carry out the entire Equality programme and urge the Spanish Government and the Andalusian Regional Government to comply with current legislation on prevention and comprehensive protection measures against gender violence. 

“I believe gender violence continues to be one of society’s greatest failures. We are working to put an end to this scourge. Administrations have to go hand in hand in the same direction and with the same objective, which is none other than to eradicate this type of violence”, highlighted the Councillor of the government team, Candela León (Cs), during her turn to speak. 

For her part, the non-attached Councillor Esperanza Jiménez thanked the acceptance of the considerations proposed by Alternativa Mijeña and encouraged “the institutions to continue this work on the path of dialogue and consensus”. The manifesto approved in the plenary session will be read at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women institutional act, which will take place on Friday, 25th November, a day on which there will be more activities.

25th november 2022 - Manifesto - Mijas Town Hall
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

This year, we are to start the manifesto with the most important thing, showing our most energetic repulsion and condemnation of the macho murders. Our condolences to the families and friends of the murdered women. 
UNTIL 16/10/2022 Sara, Mónica, Claudia, Mercedes, Lobna, Isabel, Mª Ángeles, Ivet, Victoria Cristina, Teodora, África, Natalia, Ouardia, Clotilde, Florina, Maite, Eva María, María Luisa, Diolimar, Gemma, Virginia, Mª Nieves, Cristina, Trinidad, Abigail, Eva María, Mª del Carmen, Ana, Mª Luisa, Raquel, Débora, Esther and Adoración. And another woman with an unknown name.

They are 35 women who have left 24 children without a mother. Since 2003, 1,165 women have been killed by gender violence. “Violence against women and girls is one of the world’ s most pervasive human rights violations. There are many cases every day in every corner of the world. Such violence has serious physical, economic and psychological consequences on women and girls, both in the short and long term, preventing them from participating fully and equally in society. This impact, both on the lives of individuals and families and society as a whole, is immense.” “UN women”.

On this day, 25th November, the Mijas Town Hall joins in the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women expresses its total repudiation of any gender violence. The number of women victims of gender violence has increased by 10.89% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year. The complaints filed in the courts of violence against women has also increased by 12.33%. According to data made public on Thursday, 13th October, from the Observatory against Domestic and Gender Violence of the General Council of the Judiciary.

We support the president of the Observatory the words. The data show that gender violence remains “a problem of the first order”, and she points out that the increase in the number of complaints is a consequence of the fact that more and more women “raise their voices” when they suffer gender violence and decide to report it.

Proof of this is the recent approval of the law on the comprehensive guarantee of sexual freedom, which represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of sexual violence, as it enshrines the victim’s consent when it comes to having sexual relations. In addition, the aggressor is a partner or ex-partner is considered an aggravating circumstance.

For the first time, street harassment has been criminalised and, fundamentally for the protection, care and help of women victims of abuse or sexual aggression, the law promotes the creation of crisis centres in each province, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Spain thus leads “the vanguard of women’s rights in Europe, with a clear feminist and human rights perspective”.

The State Pact for the development of public policies has been renewed.  Mijas has been endowed with 100,892 euros, triple the amount allocated last year. This funding comes in addition to a municipal budget that has been increased by more than 30%. All resources are necessary to fight against this scourge that affects us as a society.

The treatment of victims of gender violence in our municipality is comprehensive and specialised care, where professional accompaniment is offered to the victim throughout the process, thus involving the rest of the social agents involved in helping women. In addition, we have reinforced her protection by changing the locks on her home to make her feel as safe as possible.

So far this year, approximately 600 services have been provided at our Municipal Women’s Information Centre, whether it be information, psychological or legal assistance.

In Mijas, as of the 30th of September, there are 333 women with a restraining order in force, and 217 reports have been made to the gender violence unit at the main Mijas Guardia Civil post.

Behind every number, some women suffer violence. In many cases, it is violence that is not seen that tortures and kills in life. Psychological violence continues over time with consequences that directly affect women’s mental health.

The Department of Equality of Mijas Town Council works tirelessly every day against gender violence. Raising awareness among students at different educational stages, from coeducation inequality to the violence in all its forms’ prevention, with emphasis on affective-sexual education, thus implementing the programmes aimed at young people  each year.

A fundamental and relevant area where male violence can and must be prevented is education because equality can also be learned. We must use all the necessary resources to educate in equality and prevent male violence in all its manifestations. We must build a feminist society and eradicate this violence against women. With these actions, we give a clear example of the commitment of this City Council to effective equality. Only an egalitarian society will be free of male violence.

Mijas Town Hall, through this manifesto, would like to thank the Local Police of Mijas, the Guardia Civil, health personnel, and professionals of the Municipal Centre for Women’s Information and Social Services for their professionalism, commitment and empathy with the victims.

Our recognition goes to the women’s associations of this municipality, the equality coordinators of the educational centres and to the non-profit organisations that collaborate in the actions that are carried out to prevent this type of violence.

We propose to the Plenary the approval of the following agreements:
-To increase the number of psychological care staff at the Municipal Women’s Information Centre.
-To increase and execute the budget allocated to carry out the entire Equality programme and offer the best technical attention to women victims of gender violence and their children.
-Execute the budget of the State Pact against Gender Violence funds destined for local councils, which have doubled this year.
-Urge the Spanish Government and the Junta de Andalucía to comply with current prevention and protection legislation measures.

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