The subdelegate in Lugo, Isabel Rodríguez, presented today in Sarria the campaign “Do not walk alone”, for a Camino de Santiago free of male violence, which offers one year more information and resources in 40 points of the town, one of the busiest sections of the Camino Frances. The mayor, Claudio Garrido, the head of the Unit against violence against women of the Government Subdelegation, María Luisa Castro, members of the security forces and bodies and representatives of the city council also participated in no event.
The program, promoted by the units against violence against women of the autonomous communities through which the Camino passes, seeks to reinforce the protection of women who carry out the pilgrimage, both alone and accompanied, offering materials that guarantee their safety and freedom throughout the tour.
In the province of Lugo, the campaign will reach 377 points of the Xacobe routes this year, with 377 posters and 7,540 cards in Spanish and English. No case of Sarria, the pilgrims will be able to find this material at the post of the Civil Guard, at the headquarters of the Local Police, in 5 pharmacies, 29 hostels, 2 tourist offices and in the health center.
The cards include emergency numbers and contact details of the Security Forces and Corps, as well as information about the AlertCops application, which allows any alert to be communicated in real time with the exact location. In addition, a QR code links to an official website with resources of attention and assistance from the Government Delegation for Gender Violence, of the Ministry of Equality.
Rodríguez pointed out that in the year 2024 women already constituted the majority of pilgrims: 53%, the equivalent of 254,677 people who completed the Camino, compared to 210,423 men. He therefore stressed that “this reality reinforces the need for initiatives such as this, which seek to guarantee the safety and freedom of pilgrims throughout the journey.”
The deputy delegate thanked the security forces, health professionals, pharmacies and shelter managers for their collaboration, “since they are points of reference for the people who make the journey, offering closeness, confidence and a broad capacity to spread the message of prevention and support to women.”