Representatives from all walks of life in Cieza gathered this Friday afternoon in Plaza de España for the program of events marking the International Day against Violence against Women, organized by the Department of Women and Equality in collaboration with the Specialized Care Center for Women Victims of Gender Violence (CAVI of Cieza Vega Alta). The community's commitment grows each year, as evidenced by the symbolic event held before the reading of the manifesto, a citizens' march under the slogan "Our municipality against gender violence." Cieza is a city firmly committed to combating the abuse of women.
The Councilor for Women and Equality, Cristina García-Vaso, was in charge of reading the manifesto through which the people of Cieza "want to strongly express our rejection of this social scourge. We want to pay special attention to the 45 women who have been murdered in our country so far this year by their partners or ex-partners; to the 23 minor children who have been left motherless; and to the 8 children who have been murdered." In her speech, she also referred to the Region of Murcia, "where this year three women have been murdered in Molina de Segura, Lorca, and Cartagena. Each victim is not only an irreparable loss; it is a shame that falls on the conscience of society and the public authorities."
According to the text read by García-Vaso, "In our municipality, around one hundred women, as well as their children, are treated each year. There is no act more despicable than the assault of a woman simply for being a woman. Therefore, the cry of condemnation and rejection against those who attack, demean, abuse, and, in some cases, murder women must be unanimous in all spheres of society. That is why we express the need for institutional involvement against this scourge in the Region of Murcia to go hand in hand with society. Because citizens and public administrations must act in unison, jointly sending the message that women are not alone, that, in the face of abusers, there is a society united against violence, women and men committed to equality and justice."
The document advocates for an egalitarian society, which "is our duty and commitment. It is a realistic and hopeful challenge to which we must devote all our energy every day to achieve a just, egalitarian society in which we can all live in freedom, without fear of who we are or who we have next to us. So that there are no women gripped by fear, unable to go out at night or in lonely places, unable to return late from work, unable to open the door to strangers, unable to enter an elevator with a man, so that no one has to be afraid simply because they are women, so that we can give a voice to the invisible, to those who suffer, to those who remain silent, so that they never have to do so again."
Likewise, she seeks the involvement and commitment of everyone: "We must join forces to prevent and respond to young women immersed in toxic relationships, which can lead to violence. Instilling and fostering an education based on values of equality during childhood and adolescence is the best way to prevent gender-based violence in adult relationships and foster an attitude of rejection of any type of abuse. Another priority focus should be on groups that may suffer double discrimination: women with disabilities, Roma women, or immigrants, among others. In short, women who have our full support."
For García-Vaso, according to the final section of the manifesto, "other forms of violence against women, such as female genital mutilation, forced or early marriages, and the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation, crimes against the sexual freedom of women and girls, are also alarming for society. In the face of any form of violence against women, there is no room for complicity or silence. If you don't listen, don't observe, and remain silent when faced with gender-based violence, you are contributing to it. It is up to all of us to help eradicate it."
The event, which served as the centerpiece of the program of events for the International Day against Gender Violence, included, among others, the mayor of Cieza, Pascual Lucas, and the members of his governing team, Francisco Saorín, Manuela Fernández, Nerea Martínez, and Pilar Martínez; as well as municipal councilors Ana Salmerón, Piedad Quijada, and Óscar Verdejo; representatives of local women's groups; and staff from both the Women's Department and the Specialized Care Center for Women Victims of Gender Violence (CAVI of Cieza Vega Alta). The Manuel López Villalba Lute Quintet, accompanied by singer Celia, brought the afternoon to a close.
Photo Cieza.es