Far from seeing how to overcome sexist violence, every November 25th we are faced with chilling annual figures of feminicides, abuse and sexual violence. Furthermore, this 25N was crossed by an avalanche of anonymous complaints on social networks by women victims of sexual, physical and psychological violence, who decided to break their silence, after the Errejón case had also been discovered through anonymous complaints. These women turn to the Instagram account of the journalist Cristina Fallarás so that she can publish their stories, given the helplessness that the social cover-up of the attackers generates in women, from the family environment to the police stations and courts that re-victimize the women leaving pedophile entrepreneurs free as recently happened in Murcia.
Regarding femicides, every year we witness the continuation of sexist terrorism: in 2024, 82 women and girls were killed, 43 of them by their partners or ex-partners, the latest on the 8th of this month, Estela, 36 years old , whose murderer was in possession of a restrictive order and was enrolled in the VioGén program for the protection of victims of gender violence managed by the Ministry of the Interior. These cases demonstrate that it is the psycho-social support of the victim, and not a police report, that can enable the day-to-day identification of risks and the provision of the necessary resources to prevent further attacks.
Contrary to the opinion of the Minister for Equality, Ana Redondo, who places the blame for this social problem on the same victims who, according to her, do not report enough, the operators of the Network Against Gender Violence in Madrid, with their fight greater investment in resources and, ultimately, the remunicipalisation of the service (which is why the 25N are striking) signal the most urgent measure that governments must adopt if they want to stop the continuous bloodshed.
During these two months, they continue to be exposed to violence perpetrated by their partners or ex-partners, with the psychosocial damage and risk to physical integrity that this entails, both for them and for their children. With these deadlines it is impossible to address these cases through prevention and work on a safe solution for these women. Many of these women end up being treated in an emergency, because within those two months they end up suffering attacks or risky situations, which probably could have been avoided if they had been treated when they asked for help.”
Precarity afflicts this type of service throughout the state, since even when administrations create new resources, they conceive of them as privatized, as in the case of the 24-hour centers located in five public hospitals in Galicia. As the workers of the Madrid Network denounce, it is not just the fact that in outsourced resources what always prevails is the company advantage compared to the service itself offered, but that the public administrations themselves publish specifications with budgets so low that not even companies consider them profitable. This is the case of the specifications recently published by the Community and the Municipality of Madrid, for which no company has submitted any candidature.
Surround the workers’ strike in Madrid with solidarity
The fight of the Network of Women Workers against Gender Violence of the Community and the Municipality of Madrid is an example of how the fight against sexist violence is linked to the general interest of the working class. The State Pact against sexist violence cannot be subjected to the economic interest of companies or the lack of public investment.
Surrounding striking workers with solidarity also means fighting against the part-time work and poverty wages that have been imposed not only on them, but on the entire labor market, especially in feminized sectors. Precarious wages are, in turn, a factor that often links victims of gender violence to their attackers.
We see how this strike embodies two struggles that concern the entire working class: against the privatization of public services and against the flexibility of the labor market. Putting an end to sexist violence is a task of the working class against employers’ governments, which also limit access to housing in favor of real estate speculation. Network operators also have something to say on this topic:
“When women access an Emergency Center of the Protective Housing Network of the Municipality of Madrid, the situation does not improve because, given the short periods of stay (maximum two months), it is not possible to make an independent exit with these women, which leaves them in a situation of precariousness and social vulnerability which does not allow them to recover and rebuild their lives after the violence they have suffered. There are cases in which, after completing their stay in the emergency centres, women return to their attacker. not because of emotional dependence, but because they have no other socioeconomic alternatives.”
We must also bring the demands of this strike to the housing movement, which has re-emerged with force in recent months. It is urgent that administrations offer social benefits to victims of sexist violence so that they can be assisted through housing independence. We must demand public, decent and universal housing from the governments that legislate for real estate employers today.
As we are witnessing the DANA catastrophe in Valencia, the companies and governments at their service do not care about the lives of the working class and even less about that of the women of our class, since machismo is also a factor of division between men and women. workers and the ruling class are interested in perpetuating it. The fight against sexist violence, to be effective and reach the end, is inseparable from the fight against this capitalist system in crisis, which must be overthrown.
- All support for the workers of the Network against gender violence in Madrid!
- For more public resources against sexist violence Remunicipalisation!
- Against part-time work and poverty wages Repeal labor reforms!
- Sexual education on the values of equality! Stop funding concerted education, part of which is still in the hands of the Church!
- For public, dignified and universal construction! Against mistreatment on our roof.
How can communities effectively support survivors of gender violence in their recovery journeys?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Elena Gonzalez, Gender Violence Expert
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. November 25th is a significant day for raising awareness about gender-based violence. This year’s events reminded us of the staggering data on femicides and the testimonies shared by survivors through social media. What are your thoughts on this increased visibility of women’s experiences?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to recognise that while the visibility of survivors’ experiences is vital, it should be viewed as a call to action rather than a celebration. The avalanche of stories we’ve seen signifies a growing willingness among women to break their silence, but it also highlights the persistent societal issues of misogyny and systemic failure in addressing gender-based violence.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, the numbers are alarming. In 2024, 82 women and girls lost their lives to femicide, with a notable portion being killed by their partners. What do you believe are the most pressing changes needed to address these tragic realities?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: The figures you mentioned reflect not just a crisis of individual incidents but a broader societal failure to support victims effectively. We need a fundamental shift in how we provide resources and support. Psycho-social support is crucial; it’s not enough to have restraining orders if victims lack the necessary emotional and financial support to escape their situations. We must advocate for comprehensive resource allocation, preventive measures, and community-based support systems.
Time.news Editor: There appears to be a divide between government perspectives on these issues and the realities reported by activists on the ground. For instance, the Minister for Equality recently placed blame on victims for not reporting enough incidents. How do you view this stance?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: Blaming victims for not reporting is not only misguided but dangerous. It overlooks the systemic barriers that deter women from coming forward—including fear of re-victimization or not being believed. The real issue lies in the lack of adequate support systems and the woefully insufficient investment in resources. We need a concerted effort to prioritize the experiences and needs of survivors rather than shifting the blame onto them.
Time.news Editor: The article mentions that many women are left vulnerable due to the insufficient duration of support services. Can you elaborate on how this contributes to the ongoing cycle of violence?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: Yes, the limited stay in emergency shelters—often just two months—creates precarious situations for women. Many are forced to return to their abusers not out of emotional dependence, but due to a lack of sustainable housing options and financial independence after such a short time. Long-term support and accessible housing solutions are critical to breaking this cycle. We must focus on integrating victims back into society without sending them back to abusive environments.
Time.news Editor: The Network Against Gender Violence in Madrid is taking a stand, advocating for better resources and striking for their rights. What connection do you see between the fight against gender violence and broader labor rights issues?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: The intersections are undeniable. Gender-based violence exists within a context of systemic inequality, including economic oppression. Many workers in feminized sectors face precarious working conditions—part-time work, low wages—making it difficult to leave abusive situations. Fighting for improved labor rights is intrinsically linked to the fight against sexism; a robust, fair working environment can empower women to escape violence.
Time.news Editor: as the year ends, what can individuals and communities do to contribute to this fight against gender violence on a grassroots level?
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: It starts with listening and believing survivors, being advocates for policy changes that prioritize victim support, and demanding accountability from our leaders. Individual actions, such as attending local workshops, supporting organizations that assist survivors, and spreading awareness, can collectively create a stronger movement. Also, fostering open conversations within communities about gender violence can help dispel myths and encourage solidarity.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Gonzalez. Your expertise is invaluable as we confront these issues together.
Dr. Elena Gonzalez: Thank you for shining a light on this critical topic. Together, we can push for the systemic changes needed to protect women and end gender-based violence.
