On this, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Adeje Town Hall, in collaboration with the Adeje Equality Council, has organised a full day of activities to raise awareness and mobilise the community in tackling this pressing issue. Under this year’s theme, ‘She broke her silence, the world broke into applause,’ events have engaged the educational community and other bodies committed to the cause.
The day began with a gathering outside the Town Hall, where councillors and council staff, led by the mayor, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, joined students and teachers from CEIP Adeje Casco, representatives from the Equality Council, and other organisations, to denounce gender-based violence. During the event, children from the school and members of the council read manifestos emphasising the need to continue working towards a violence-free society.
The mayor said, "This is a moment to reaffirm our commitment. As was read today, we must give voice to those who suffer without raising their voice because they are afraid or silenced. For them, we raise our voices, rejecting all forms of violence. This act dignifies us as a society and commits us to building a fairer world, grounded in respect, tolerance, and fundamental values that make us better people."
The Equality Council of Adeje also expressed a strong stance against gender-based violence in its manifesto, highlighting that systemic inequalities not only harm direct victims but also society as a whole. The statement underscored the importance of educating with respect and equality, creating safe spaces for victims, strengthening laws, and mobilising the community.
"Our silence in the face of violence makes us accomplices. Let us raise our voices for those who cannot yet speak out," the manifesto concluded, inviting collective reflection and action to build a just, violence-free society.
Community gathering in Tierra Lavada
In the afternoon, activities will continue in Plaza de Tierra Lavada, in Los Olivos, with community events, in Spanish, featuring artistic performances aimed at raising awareness. Highlights include a musical performance by Diana Pérez Meriño and the reading of a passage from the book ‘La Violación del Alma’ (The Rape of the Soul) by its author, Raquel Ramírez Romero. Following this, the group INSPIRARTEATRO will perform a piece based on the book, and the manifesto written by Adeje’s Equality Council will be read.
A year-round commitment
Adeje Town Hall implements actions to eradicate violence against women throughout the year, integrating this fight into policies across all municipal areas. From the Local Police, who participate in the national VIOGEN system, to educational and cultural programmes, the town consistently reinforces efforts to create a safe and equitable environment.
According to data from the Government Delegation Against Gender Violence, in 2024, 39 women in Spain have been murdered to date due to gender-based violence, leaving 29 children orphaned. Since 2003, this scourge has claimed the lives of 1,283 women. These figures underscore the urgency of intensifying efforts to eliminate this issue and ensure a life free from violence for all women.
Adeje Town Hall invites residents to participate in the scheduled events and join the collective commitment to ending gender-based violence. As the Equality Council expressed in its manifesto, *“Our silence in the face of violence makes us complicit. Let us raise our voices for those who cannot yet speak out.”
