The subdelegate of the Government in A Coruña, María Rivas, closed today in Ferrol the exhibition “Punto y vamos. Life can do more”, a photographic exhibition organized by the Diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferrol and the O Mencer-Oblatas Center, which makes visible the reality of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. During the event, Rivas assured that it was “an honor to participate today in the closing of this exhibition so necessary and so full of meaning”, and began by thanking the efforts of the organizing entities and “all the people involved in the organization of this exhibition”.
The subdelegate also highlighted the work of the photographer Fernando Marmol, author of the images, whom she praised for “putting images and emotions to a reality that often remains invisible”. He stressed that “‘Stop and keep going. Life can do more’ is much more than an exhibition”, as it represents “a wake-up call to our collective conscience” and an invitation to “face up to such a serious problem as trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation”. According to him, this is “a drama that needs a firm social and institutional response.”
In his opinion, this exhibition contributes to “opening the eyes, putting name and face to the victims, and understanding that behind every story there is pain, but also strength, overcoming and hope.” Therefore, he encouraged to continue working “sensitizing, denouncing and accompanying” the affected people.
Rivas reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Spain to the fight against trafficking, warning that “there can be no real equality as long as there are women victims of a system of exploitation that commoditizes their bodies.” In this regard, he stressed that the National Strategic Plan against the Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings is “an ambitious plan that aims to cover not only the fight against this crime, but also the adequate assistance and protection to its victims.” He explained that the priorities of the plan include “the detection and prevention, identification, care and recovery of victims, with special focus on the gender dimension, placing victims at the center of all actions.”
The closing ended with a clear message from the subdelegate, who asked that “this exhibition is not a point and end, but a point and followed in the defense of the dignity, rights and freedom of all people.”