The Mijas Town Hall is launching its second annual campaign against harassment of women, called 'Pregunta por Angela' ('Ask for Angela'). This safety initiative originated in the United Kingdom and is used in bars and other venues, mainly nightclubs, to help people who feel harassed or in danger. 'Ask for Angela!' is the key phrase of this campaign. In Mijas, it was initiated by the Viogenex Group (Gender Violence against Foreign Women) and has had an international impact.
The mayoress of the town and head of the Family and Equal Opportunities Department, Ana Mata (PP), visited one of the establishments, Biddy Mulligan's, on Thursday 26th with representatives of this group to thank them for their involvement. According to Mata, "this is a campaign that will be extended to all establishments that wish to join in. At present, there are already about 50 participating, and we want it to reach all three centres: La Cala, Mijas Pueblo and Las Lagunas. The aim is that any woman in Mijas can ask for help or assistance simply by asking for Angela". The mayoress also explained that "the Mijas Town Hall takes a cross-cutting approach to tackling gender-based violence. The Department for Foreigners is also showing particular sensitivity by involving all the associations in our municipality and helping to raise awareness of issues of concern".
The Mayor's Office has sent letters to hotels, restaurants and shops inviting them to participate in this campaign, which also has the support of the Local Police and Civil Guard,and other groups within Viogenex.
The councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP), said that "we believe that many situations of harassment begin or occur in bars, sometimes due to the effects of alcohol and its consumption, and the collaboration of staff in these establishments is essential. That is why we have come to this collaborating pub today to launch the second edition of the campaign".
Women who find themselves in compromising or threatening situations can approach staff at these participating venues, who will act discreetly to avoid any risks.
On Thursday 26th, the campaign was presented at one of the participating bars, which are placing posters in the toilets so that only women are aware of the initiative. David Reilly, manager of the Irish pub Biddy Mulligan's, said: "It is very important that women know they can ask bar staff for help if they need it. The signs are in the toilets. If they feel intimidated or need assistance, they can go to the bar and ask for Angela".

- La alcaldesa de Mijas y responsable del área de Familia e Igualdad de Oportunidades, Ana Mata, ha visitado el pub Biddy Mulligan’s para agradecerle su participación. |
- C. Luque.
Viogenex
The mayoress also highlighted the work carried out by the Viogenex working group, which focuses its efforts on combating gender-based violence among foreign women. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the groups that make up this working group, which, together with the Departments for Foreigners, Family, Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion, as well as the Local Police and Civil Guard, meet regularly to monitor cases of violence in our municipality and propose actions". Among the organisations involved are Soroptimist International Costa del Sol, the Red Cross, the La Cala Lions Club, Age Care and Málaga Acoge.
As for Viogen, the comprehensive system for monitoring cases of gender-based violence, there are 315 active cases in Mijas.
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