Santa Cruz de Tenerife 21 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children and Family, through the Canarian Institute of Equality, is finalising the administrative and financial processes for the acquisition of two premises intended to serve as 24-hour crisis care centres for women who are victims of sexual violence in La Palma and Lanzarote.
These will complement the three centres already established in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura.
“A total investment of 1,190,000 euros has been allocated for the acquisition of these five centres, funded by the European Union,” stated Candelaria Delgado, the Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood and Family, during the Parliamentary Commission on Friday.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the Canarian Institute of Equality is working on expanding services to La Gomera and El Hierro.
“Initially, these islands were not included in the project, but we believe they must be incorporated to ensure coverage across the entire territory,” Delgado remarked.
The counsellor reported that the required administrative tasks are currently underway, including the transfer of ownership of the supplies and the registration of the acquired properties in the Property Registry.
The establishment of these centres was agreed upon at the Sectorial Conference of Equality in April 2021, with the aim of ensuring access to comprehensive care services for all women affected by gender violence.
“The intention was to set up at least one in each province, with adequate material resources such as premises, equipment, and supplies. However, in the Canary Islands, due to our fragmented geographical landscape, we deemed it essential to have one centre on each island instead of just one per province, as originally proposed,” Delgado added.
The 24-hour crisis centres are designed to provide telephone, online, and face-to-face support to women affected by sexual violence, as well as legal, psychological, and social guidance for the victims, their families, and their support networks.
