Benidorm reiterates its commitment to eliminate violence against women

Benidorm City Council today commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, reiterating its commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and to achieving a more just and equal society. Numerous members of the municipal corporation, led by the First Deputy Mayor, Ana Pellicer, and the Councilor for Equality, Ángela Zaragozí, participated in the unveiling of a large banner with a purple ribbon in rejection of gender-based violence and in remembrance and tribute to all the women who have been murdered by their partners or ex-partners, a figure that has reached 38 cases so far this year and 1,333 since 2003, when the statistics began. Representatives from various civic associations also participated in this official event.

The Councillor for Equality stated that Benidorm City Council has specialised staff dedicated to gender-based violence to provide free advice to any woman who feels threatened. In this regard, Ángela Zaragozí emphasised that “we work year-round to provide support, advice, and assistance to victims” and that, likewise, “numerous education, prevention, and awareness campaigns are carried out” regarding this “serious social problem.”

According to data provided by the councilwoman, who also oversees the Department of Social Welfare, the program for victims of gender-based violence, jointly run by both municipal departments, currently has 157 active cases of women who are experiencing or have experienced violence at the hands of their partners or ex-partners. Of these, 69 women are also currently enrolled in the ATENPRO program, a telephone service providing support and protection for victims of violence against women through a mobile phone and telelocation device that allows them to alert authorities in emergencies.

Ángela Zaragozí also explained that the Department of Equality is running a parallel program to raise awareness and prevent violence against women, "within which around one hundred activities have been carried out this year." According to the councilwoman, these include awareness campaigns, book presentations, monologues, designated "purple points" at numerous events, and workshops for children and young people.

Screening of ‘Desnudas’ and other activities for November 25th

In addition to the placement of this large banner, the commemoration of November 25th in our city continues with numerous activities programmed by the Department of Equality, in collaboration with other municipal departments. As part of the program commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Benidorm City Hall's Assembly Hall hosted a screening yesterday of the documentary "Desnudas" (Naked), by Esmeralda Marugán.

The screening was attended by the Councillor for Equality, Ángela Zaragozí, along with other members of the Municipal Corporation, including the regional deputy, José Ramón González de Zárate, as well as the director herself and some of the film's protagonists.

"Desnudas" presents the stories of seven women between the ages of 50 and 90, who address their intimate, emotional, and sexual lives through experiences marked by abuse, inequality, difficult motherhood, addiction, and processes of overcoming adversity. The documentary offers an intergenerational portrait that highlights the barriers that persist in achieving true equality.

Furthermore, as part of this program, Ángela Zaragozí reminded everyone that from tomorrow until Friday, November 28, from 10:00 to 12:00, the La Torreta and Jelena community centres, along with the Els Tolls Mediation Centre, will host free workshops on masculinities and care for dependent individuals.

In addition, until November 30th, the interactive project "What do you know about...? Uncovering truths about gender violence" is taking place at the La Torreta and José Llorca Linares community centres and Els Tolls Mediation Centre. Its objective is "to provide information and demystify clichés and many beliefs that people hold about gender violence," the councilwoman stated.

Also, until the 30th, the "Posters Against Gender Violence" exhibition, created annually by second-year art students from Pere Maria Orts i Bosch High School, can be visited at the City Hall's Art Space.