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The government delegate calls for unity “that saves lives, protects and repairs in the face of negationism”

27/11/2025

· Since 2003 a total of 32 women have been murdered in Asturias by their partners or ex-partners, three this year: Karilenia, Dolores and Susana

· La Menina 2025 was for the ‘Master in Gender and Diversity’ of the University of Oviedo and honorable mentions have been awarded to Isabel Carrera, Socorro Suárez Lafuente, Rosa Cid and the late Amparo Pedregal, as promoters of gender studies from the university level

· Special mentions have also been given to the former head of the Local Police of Mieres Rafael Carramal, the inspector of the National Police José Luis García, the sergeant of the Civil Guard Miguel Ángel Maldonado and the official of Penitentiary Institutions José Ernesto Pastur

The delegate of the Government in the Principality of Asturias, Adriana Lastra, has appealed during her speech in the act of handing over the ‘Renaissance Meninas 2025’ to the unity “that saves lives, It protects and repairs against negationism, because when gender violence is denied, the aggressors feel supported and the victims abandoned.” “Let us remain united and united to eradicate violence against women. Let’s keep moving until no one has to live in fear,” he added.

Adriana Lastra recalled that since 2003 a total of 32 women have been murdered in Asturias at the hands of their partners or ex-partners, three this year: Karilenia, Dolores and Susana. It has also indicated that so far in 2025 a total of 38 women have been killed in Spain.

During the event on the occasion of the 25N, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the delegate thanked the great work carried out by the honorable mentions of this edition.

She also stressed that “gender violence is a violation of the human rights of more than half of the population. It is a major social and public health problem that must be addressed as a matter of state.”

Adriana Lastra has assured that “the facts cannot be denied”. “The truth must not be denied. The reality is irrefutable in the face of any amago of negationism. And the unity of action of administrations and citizens is essential to move towards a fairer, safer and more egalitarian society”, he defended.

MENINE RECOGNITIONS 2025

The Government Delegation in Asturias has awarded the highest distinction of the Meninas 2025 awards to the ‘Master in Gender and Diversity of the University of Oviedo’, for its active role over two decades in the social and cultural transformation of gender and for allowing to bring to light and make visible the different forms of male violence, its complexity and repercussions.

The Meninas awards are promoted by the Government Delegation for Gender Violence and are given to all Government Delegations and Sub-Delegations at the end of November, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Along with Menina 2025 for the ‘Master in Gender and Diversity’, they have received honorable mentions:

  • Isabel Carrera Suárez: Retired Professor of English Philology and Professor Emeritus of the University of Oviedo. She was director of the University Institute of Gender and Diversity. She directed 27 doctoral theses, coordinated the research group ‘Intersections’ and was vice-rector of University Extension between 2000 and 2004.
  • Socorro Suárez Lafuente: Professor of English Philology, retired. The Faculty of Philology and Letters last year put its name to the English room as a tribute. His teaching addresses: History of feminist thought; Women and science; and is the coordinator of ‘Women in European Texts: Compartative Perspectives’.
  • Rosa Cid López: Professor of Ancient History at the University of Oviedo and national leader in Gender History. Promoter of gender studies at the University of Oviedo, she is coordinator of the ‘Demeter Group. Maternity, gender and family’, which integrates historians specialized in women and gender studies.
  • Amparo Pedregal Rodríguez: Died in 2015, she was a tenured professor of Ancient History at the University of Oviedo and a specialist in gender studies. She was also a promoter of the University Association of Women's Studies.

And they have also received special mentions:

  • José Ernesto Pastur Rodríguez: Official at the Penitentiary Center of Asturias. It is recognized for its outstanding work in the delivery of training and intervention programs with people convicted of crimes of gender violence, aimed at re-education, reintegration and elimination of violent behavior.
  • Rafael Carramal Durán: He was head of the Local Police of Mieres, recently retired. It is granted this recognition for its outstanding involvement and dedication in the fight against gender violence in the municipality, as well as for its constant collaboration and coordination with the different Security Forces and Bodies.
  • Miguel Ángel Maldonado Larios: Sergeant 1st of the Civil Guard, currently assigned to the Organic Judicial Police Unit (UOPJ) of the Asturias Command. It receives the mention for its special interest and commitment to the fight against gender violence and the protection of victims, acting as a point of contact and reference for the citizen security units of the Civil Guard in Asturias.
  • José Luis García González: Inspector of the National Police in Asturias. It is distinguished by its great capacity for work, initiative and commitment, highly specialized in the fight against gender and domestic violence, as well as in the investigation of sexual crimes.