Tenerife’s Gender Violence Forum Marks 25 Years of Advocacy Amid Ongoing Challenges

The Gender Violence Forum in Tenerife has celebrated its 25th anniversary, continuing its vital role in advocating for gender equality and against violence towards women. Elisa Pérez, the Forum’s spokesperson, expressed concerns about the persistent issues of gender violence, noting a troubling trend towards denial regarding the severity of this societal problem.

Concerns Over Resource Management

Pérez highlighted significant issues regarding the management of state funding aimed at combating gender violence in the Canary Islands. She stressed that this issue is deeply rooted in societal structures, urging public administrations to take accountability. “Gender violence must always be on the political agenda if we truly want to address it,” she asserted, emphasizing the need for consistent political focus on this critical issue.

Need for Self-Reflection and Action

The spokesperson called for a critical evaluation of existing preventive measures, questioning the effectiveness of the current system in addressing gender violence. The Forum advocates for self-reflection, stating, “We cannot define future paths without analyzing past actions.” Pérez pointed out that the Canarian government has become part of the problem due to its inaction regarding the execution of financial provisions from the state pact, which has stalled various initiatives for several months.

Budgetary Challenges and Implementation Issues

Pérez raised alarms about the return of a substantial amount of funding in the 2024 budget, indicating that there have been ongoing issues with the execution of these allocated resources. She noted that funding was only released less than two weeks ago, with the requirement to justify expenditures by the end of December. “We are certain that there will not be enough time to implement the projects,” she lamented, explaining that this delay negatively impacts awareness programs and support services for women and minors affected by gender violence, thereby violating their rights.

Insufficient Follow-Up and Evaluation

Additionally, Pérez criticized the lack of funding from the Canary Islands for implementing public policies, particularly in preventive programs that are essential for combating gender violence. She stated, “There is no follow-up or evaluation of the projects being launched,” and expressed concern over the lack of transparency in public equality policies. The outsourcing and privatization of resources intended for women’s support have also raised alarms, with Pérez asserting that the responsibility for these issues lies with the Government of the Canary Islands.

Stagnation in Equality Initiatives

Pérez continued to address the stagnation of equality policies across the Islands, claiming that there has been a regression in certain areas. She emphasized that the paralysis of projects has become a significant obstacle to progress. While the evolution of public policies regarding equality and the fight against gender violence has been ongoing, culminating in the approval of the State Pact, Pérez warned that these resources lose their effectiveness if not properly implemented, executed, and evaluated.

Urgent Call for Adequate Resources

She argued that merely approving initiatives and announcing policies is insufficient without the proper allocation of resources for prevention, support, and intervention. “If this is not the case, we must speak of paralysis,” she stated. Pérez noted that delays have been a recurring issue, particularly this year, with funding only being unlocked 15 days prior, jeopardizing the viability of numerous projects.

Transparency and Trust Issues

Pérez expressed concerns about the poor execution of grants by the Government of the Canary Islands, stating that this situation places advocates in a difficult position. She emphasized the need for women to trust the system, especially when it comes to filing complaints. Regarding transparency, she expressed uncertainty about budget management, asserting that mismanagement leads to stagnation and a lack of evaluation. “We cannot move forward with our eyes closed,” she concluded.

Demonstration for Change

On November 25, thousands gathered in Santa Cruz, starting from Weyler Square, to demand action against masculine violence, which has led to the deaths of 110 women in the Canary Islands since the tracking of femicide cases began.

Key points

• The Gender Violence Forum in Tenerife has been advocating for 25 years.
• Elisa Pérez highlighted the need for gender violence to remain a political priority.
• Concerns were raised about the management of state funding for combating gender violence.
• Delays in funding release have jeopardized various projects aimed at supporting victims.
• The lack of follow-up and evaluation of initiatives has been criticized.
• Thousands participated in a demonstration on November 25 to demand action against gender violence.