The Government of Spain reaffirms its commitment to eradicate all forms of violence against women

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The acting executive has approved an Institutional Declaration on the occasion of the International Day against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children, which since 2019 will be celebrated every 23 September.

The Minister for Territorial Policy and spokesperson for the acting government, Isabel Rodríguez, reiterated the commitment "to real equality between men and women, which necessarily requires the eradication of all forms of violence, especially against women".

Rodriguez pointed out that sexual exploitation and trafficking for this purpose is "modern slavery using the most vulnerable people as a simple commodity, violating all their human rights". A UN report from 2022 shows a reduction in the number of victims detected compared to 2019, but this does not mean that crime has decreased. Rather, according to the minister, it has moved to less visible and safer places due to the pandemic.

Among the executive's initiatives to combat this type of violence, the spokesperson highlighted the Organic Law for the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence, approved in 2021, and the Operational Plan for the Protection of the Human Rights of Women and Girls who are victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation and women in contexts of prostitution (Plan Camino 2022-2026).

The minister stressed that the government is also focusing on gender in this type of crime "because the figures and data lead us to this conclusion". Regarding trafficking, 60% of the victims are women or girls, and this percentage rises to over 90% in the case of sexual exploitation. "Hence the government's concern and its reiteration of our commitment to gender equality, to the rights of women and girls, and to working to eradicate sexual exploitation and human trafficking," she said.

Comprehensive, social and political pact against gender-based violence

The Government Spokesperson and acting Minister for Territorial Policy, Isabel Rodríguez, upon her arrival at the press conference after the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa/José Manuel Álvarez

At the press conference following the Council of Ministers, Isabel Rodríguez also expressed her concern about the 47 victims of gender violence registered this year: "47 is a lot, and over 1,000 since records began, that is a huge number".

The spokesperson stressed that "this is an issue that cannot and should not be trivialised" and "there is never any room for denial". She also pointed out that mechanisms to prevent abuse must be improved, and that we must always be close to the victims and accompany them: "Maintaining this political and social pact of projection and support for the victims of gender violence is inexcusable to continue advancing in the necessary improvements".

"The pact against gender violence must be a complete pact, a social and political pact, a pact among you, the media, the classrooms, the schools, everyone, because just one victim is already too many", she stressed.

Rail and road integration

The Council of Ministers has authorised an investment of €15.5 million to complete the construction works of the new Murcia station 'El Carmen', which will complete the integration of the railway in the capital city.

The Government Spokesperson and acting Minister for Territorial Policy, Isabel Rodríguez, during her speech at the press conference after the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa/José Manuel Álvarez

The interior architectural works of the passenger building, and the platform area of the underground railway yard and the non-railway facilities will be contracted. The area next to the station will also be developed.

The executive spokeswoman pointed out that it is an important decision for the development of the new high-speed accesses in our country.

Isabel Rodríguez also reported on the €19 million tender for the complementary works to the Benissa bypass on the N-332 road, in the province of Alicante. The new works will enhance the level of service and improve road safety, and include some two kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths, in line with the State Bicycle Strategy.

Non official translation