Spain - Regional Authority to Close Women’s Support Services
[Women Against Violence Europe, 20 December 2011] On 15 December 2011 the governmental Woman’s Institute (El Instituto de la Mujer) has informed the public about the plans of the authorities in the central Castilla-la-Mancha region to close 85 counselling centres and 13 shelters that have room to house 96 women survivors of domestic violence.
Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) expresses deep concern about the plans of the regional government of the Castilla-La Mancha region to curtail resources and close women’s support services. WAVE would like to remind the Spanish government of its long standing commitment and international obligations to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the promotion of substantive equality between women and men.
Violence against women is indeed an economic issue. It is an enormous financial burden. Around 80% of the costs fall upon the state. However, providing women’s shelters with sufficient and long-term financing is the cheapest way to cut costs.
Women Against Violence Europe urges the Spanish government to refrain from its plans and to continue the present financing so that all women’s shelters, shelter places and women support services in the Autonomous region of Castilla-la-Mancha will be maintained.
Please find WAVE’s letter to the Spanish government here: http://www.wave-network.org/images/doku/open_letter_spain_la_mancha.pdf