The Government delegate in Galicia, Pedro Blanco, presented today the progress of the acts that will be developed by the Government Delegation and the four provincial subdelegations around the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25N and “which is designed to serve as a shield of contention before those who deny male violence.”
Pedro Blanco pointed out the efforts of the people of the Delegation and Subdelegations dedicated to the fight against this scourge by extending this anniversary to the whole of the year. And he recalled that it includes the recommendations and duties of the State Pact against Gender Violence, within the actions developed by the Government.
More than 50 activities
The program includes more than 50 activities that are distributed in the four Galician provinces and that go beyond the traditional dates of the month of November. The delegate highlighted this temporary extension, which responds to the “undeniable reality that attacks on women and machismo do not understand dates or seasons and, as such, our responsibility to fight against them.”
On the program, the delegate highlighted the variety of formats of the actions and audiences they are aimed at (youth, security forces and bodies, legal and medical personnel, educational community and the victims themselves). This variety, he justified, reflects how gender violence is a transversal problem, which “is present in all layers of society and in all ages.” Among the public, he stressed the importance of activities aimed at youth and the educational community, which respond to the demand to sensitize the newest generations “since the surveys show us that messages and sexist behaviors are advancing in this group,” he lamented.
In relation to the format of the events, Pedro Blanco explained that the program has spaces for demand (public readings, placements of banners, minutes of silence,...), for training (days and debates, workshops of personal defense) and also for sensitization (campaigns in social networks, distribution of material, presentations of books and exhibitions and the same workshops of improvised dialectical dispute). And he emphasized the organization of activities in rural concellos and smaller localities.
Core Acts
Pedro Blanco announced that the central events will begin this week with the celebration, next Thursday, day 3, in the Lyceum of Ourense of a day against sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and girls in which Rocío Mora, director of the Association for the prevention, reintegration and care of prostituted women (APRAMP) will intervene.
In the second half of this month, the MUNCYT of A Coruña will host a day of reflection on violence against women in armed conflicts and, in the Old Prison of Lugo, a perfo-poetic recital will be held with women creators of Galicia. This festival gathers the witness of the one held last year in Vigo and, like that one, is coordinated by Yolanda Castaño, National Poetry Prize 2023. Pedro Blanco pointed out that this edition will have the participation of Chus Pato, who reached this year the National Poetry Prize.
The month of November, the month that hosts the International Day on the Elimination of Violence against Women, will begin with the fifth edition of the training day the staff of the Civil Guard, National Police and Local Police of Galicia that is dedicated to monitoring and protection of victims of male violence.
It will be followed by an artistic and formative action by Bea Lema, an illustrator from Cordoba who has been awarded the National Comic Prize. On November 15, the artist will show live the process of creating one of her works, which combines drawing and embroidery, and will subsequently lead a workshop in which interested people can register. The delegate pointed out that the work done by Bea Lema will be reproduced to remain exposed on the facade of the Delegation during that week.
The central events of the program will be held in the week of 25N and will culminate in the delivery of the recognition ‘Meninas’ of Galicia, granted by the Government Delegation and which this year reaches its seventh edition. The government delegate recalled that these awards recognize individuals and entities at the regional and provincial levels who distinguished themselves for their commitment in the fight for equality and against male violence.
The delegate encouraged all people and institutions to join these activities and pointed out that the program is open to incorporate new dates and locations, which will be reported through the website and the profiles of the Delegation in social networks: “We want this event to be a cause for concern and encouragement to those of us who firmly believe in an egalitarian society in which no girl, girl or woman has to live in fear.”