The Government Delegation in Navarre has joined, once again, the campaign “Do not walk alone: Camino de Santiago Free of Male Violence.” It is an initiative that seeks to strengthen the security of women who undertake this Jacobean route alone, promoted by the Coordination Units against Violence against Women of the Government Delegations in Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León, Galicia and Extremadura.
This initiative has been presented by the delegate of the Government in Navarre, Alicia Echeverría; the director of the Coordination Unit against Violence against Women, Estrella Lamadrid; the president of the College of Pharmacists of Navarre, Alberto Mantilla; inspector José Amiable Sánchez, head of the Unit of Foreigners and Borders in Luzaide/Valcarlos, of National Police; and the lieutenant colonel head of Operations of the Civil Guard, Antonio Barbero.
The campaign for a Camino de Santiago free of male violence includes the dissemination, in different locations, of bilingual information cards and posters that include a QR code that links to the phones of resources specialized in dealing with cases of violence against women.
In Navarre, the Civil Guard and the National Police have begun the distribution of this material by hostels and other accommodation, supermarkets and public establishments located on the stretch of the French Way that runs through the Foral Community.
In addition, the Official College of Pharmacists of Navarre distributes this informative signage in all pharmacies of the municipalities along the Camino de Santiago in the Foral Community. A total of 159 pharmacy offices in Navarre from 41 municipalities are participating in the campaign, which is in addition to the “Violeta Points” initiative, by which all Navarre pharmacies have been established as safe spaces for women victims of male violence.
Safety on the Camino de Santiago
The State Security Forces and Corps design, every year, a specific plan for the protection of all people who transit the Camino de Santiago.
In the case of the Civil Guard, in 2021 it launched the Mobile Offices of Attention to the Pilgrim with the objectives of offering closer treatment and facilitating the presentation of complaints in cases where it is necessary, offering information of interest through QR codes. But, in addition, it mobilizes along the Camino the Citizen Security units, the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), the Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM), the Cavalry Squadron, the Cinological Service, the Tax Guard, the Group of Specialists in Deactivation of Explosives (GEDEX) or the Rapid Action Group (GAR).
For its part, the National Police has been developing in recent years, with the aim of preventing any act of violence against women, information actions and support for any incident that occurs on the Camino or in shelters. Pilgrims can access all available resources against gender violence along the Jacobean route, and they can count on the help of the National Police in the event of facing a situation of risk in those places whose demarcation corresponds to this police force. Already at the entrance to Spain, they have a police station in Luzaide/Valcarlos to request help and advice in case of need.
It is recommended that pilgrims plan the way in advance, always be identified, inform family and friends of the position and place in which they are, carry a mobile phone with sufficient battery, do not neglect belongings and walk through safe and more crowded places.