The Equality Secretary of the PSOE of Andalusia, Olga Manzano, has supported this Sunday the position of the crisis committee of the Ministry of Equality not to reduce the protection for women victims of gender-based violence even if they decide to withdraw the complaint. "Each gender-based murder reminds us of a reality, and that is that there is always something more we can do to improve the protection of women's lives. The difference is between acting or staying with our arms crossed," the socialist leader emphasized.
According to the party's explanation in a statement, Manzano has highlighted the work of the Ministry of Equality after gathering its crisis committee to reinforce the protection mechanisms for victims. Among the conclusions of that meeting, she highlighted the recommendation directed to the judicial sphere to maintain the guardianship of victims regardless of whether women withdraw their complaint.
"Behind these decisions, there is always fear, there are threats, there is economic or emotional dependence, or there is pressure from the abusers themselves. That is governing: making decisions that save lives," she insisted.
In this line, the Equality official indicated that this body has asked the Junta of Andalusia to analyze bilaterally with the central Government the latest gender-based murders recorded in Málaga. As a result, she criticized the "passivity of the regional Executive": "What we cannot understand is Moreno's silence. While the Government of Spain promotes measures, in Andalusia there is neither initiative nor leadership," she stated.
Furthermore, Manzano has linked this "inaction" with the agreement of the Popular Party with the "far-right." "Something must have to do with the pact that the president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has signed with Vox, a pact that rolls out the red carpet for the denialism of gender-based violence and puts at risk the measures to combat it," she criticized.
"Against gender-based violence, there is only one path: more protection, more commitment, and more budget, and also zero tolerance," the Equality Secretary reiterated, emphasizing that this is the clear direction of the Government of Spain "unlike what the Government of Moreno is doing."