María Rivas presents in Ferrol the Association against Gender Violence, Alvixe, the Travelling Suitcase as an awareness-raising tool

The MAVI project, which has already passed through 18 institutions and municipalities in the province, provides social entities with more than 80 books on feminism, equality and gender violence for 3 months to carry out activities on them. The initiative was born in the Subdelegation of the Government in A Coruña in October 2022 in order to facilitate an instrument of awareness, support and social transformation. The deputy delegate reiterated “the commitment of the Government of Spain to equality and support for all women. Through culture, we also move toward a more just and violence-free society.”

The subdelegate of the Government in A Coruña, María Rivas, delivered today the Travelling Suitcase (MAVI) to the entity ALVIXE of Ferrol, with which the figure of 19 suitcases delivered in different points of the province is reached. The event, which took place at the Civic Center of Canido, was accompanied by the president and director of Alvixe, Marine Nikogoshan and Beatriz Sestayo, respectively, representatives of the feminist radio program A Ventana de Fucas, the Residents Association of Canido and the Residents Association Muíño do Vento, as well as other attendees.

This initiative of the Corunnese Subdelegation for the promotion of equality and critical reflection through reading, is part of the objectives promoted by the Government of Spain to prevent and eradicate male violence.

“Culture is a tool for social transformation and also an ally in the fight against gender violence. With MAVI, we bring to the entities that work with the citizens a resource that allows them to reflect, share and educate on equality,” said the subdelegate.

The project began in October 2022 in the City of Vimianzo and has five different suitcases rotating between the requesting entities. The suitcases contain in total more than 80 books —most of them written by women—, including works by Galician authors and stories of women victims of male violence. In addition, they include a publication by Rosa Cabanas, books that the municipalities provide about women in relief of their municipalities and a diary so that in each entity the experiences and suggestions of improvement to the project are recorded.

The travelling suitcases were already in entities and municipalities of A Baña, Boqueixón, Camariñas, Carballo, Cedeira, Cee, A Coruña, Dodro, Fene, Mañón, Melide, Santiago, A Pobra do Caramiñal, Santa Comba, As Somozas, Touro, Val do Dubra and Vimianzo and there are currently around thirty more applications.

“Associations such as ALVIXE carry out a fundamental task in the accompaniment of women. From the Subdelegation we want to be at their side, providing them with useful tools and resources to help them in their daily work,” said Rivas.

MAVI is aimed at Women’s Information Centres, social services, shelters, women’s and victims’ associations, libraries, reading clubs, NGOs and town halls, promoting reading as an instrument of support, empowerment and awareness. The suitcase is for three months in each requesting entity. During this time, activities are carried out around this theme with these books as a basis.

“From the Government of Spain we reiterate our commitment to equality and support for all women. Through culture, we also move towards a more just and violence-free society,” concluded María Rivas.