Europe evaluates in Castilla y León Spain’s compliance with the Istanbul Convention in the fight against gender violence

• The Government Delegation hosts the third day of work that the Group of Experts on the Fight against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) is carrying out in Spain and that this Thursday will close in Catalonia. • Nicanor Sen reports on the Government’s efforts in the territory to combat all forms of violence against women and highlights the importance of inter-agency coordination and collaboration to increase victim protection and provide a more effective response. • The representatives of the GREVIO express their satisfaction with the system of protection for victims that Spain has implemented.

February 28, 2024.- The Government delegate in Castilla y León, Nicanor Sen, chaired on Wednesday the working meeting that the Group of Experts on the Fight against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) held in the offices of the Government Delegation of Castilla y León, in Valladolid.

A day that falls within the framework of the first thematic evaluation round that the GREVIO is carrying out since last Monday in Spain, with which it is intended to monitor the degree of compliance with the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the country.

During his speech, Sen gave an X-ray of the social reality of Castilla y León and the work that, in line with the objectives of the Government of Spain, is being carried out in the territory to fight against all forms of violence against women.

In this context, the Government delegate has stressed the importance of interinstitutional collaboration to provide an effective and immediate response and increase the level of protection for victims, as evidenced by the joint work of the security forces.

Precisely, Sen continued, Spain reinforced in 2022 the action of the Civil Guard in the field of gender violence with the creation of the VioGen Teams, which joined the teams of the Child-Woman units (EMUME) and which work in close collaboration with the agents of the UFAM (Attention to Family and Women) of the National Police.

Work in permanent coordination with the Violence Units of the Government’s subdelegations, converted into the “arms and eyes of the Ministry of Equality in the territory”, which are responsible for monitoring the cases active in the VioGén System, promoting awareness and training campaigns, or the development of new coordination protocols with other administrations.

“The commitment of this Government to move forward and continue walking towards the goal of zero violence is clear and from Castilla y León we are aligned with it. Much progress has been made, but it is necessary to continue working and make equality a priority on the political agenda of all institutions,” concluded Sen.

Precisely, at the end of the meeting the representatives of the GREVIO have conveyed to the delegate their satisfaction with the system of protection with the victims of gender violence that Spain has implemented, as a reference at European level.

Four members of the GREVIO participated in the working day, the heads of the National Police and Civil Guard in Castilla y León, as well as the coordinator of the Violence against Women Units in Castilla y León. After its passage through Madrid and Castilla y León, the working group will highlight this Thursday in Catalonia, where it will close the evaluation of Spain.