85,000 for a life free of gender-based violence for women

On the occasion of 25N, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we reaffirm our commitment by supporting seven women's groups working in different parts of Spain. These groups are dedicated to eradicating gender-based violence in all its forms, fighting every day to build a world where all women can live free from violence and discrimination.

Women's groups working in the complicated context arising from COVID-19

On the occasion of the 25N, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we would like to tell you that This year we have given more than €85,000 to seven women's organisations in different parts of Spain that work every day for a life free of gender-based violence for women. Moreover, in the exceptional context of the COVID 19 pandemic, which has increased the risk for women experiencing violence. In the first two weeks of April alone, calls to the hotline for victims of gender-based violence increased by 47% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Furthermore, the economic and social crisis we are facing has made many of the women who suffer violence even more vulnerable. This situation is even more complicated for migrant women, who are often faced with a lack of support networks, a lack of knowledge of the language and/or existing resources or an irregular administrative situation that prevents them from accessing them.

Meet the women's organisations we have supported

In this context, the women's groups we have supported have organised themselves to create networks of mutual support and to provide information and comprehensive accompaniment to those who need it most:

Amalgam: created in 2009 in Madrid. Donation: €20,000
Ultraviolet light: started to be organised in 2019 in Arnedo, La Rioja. Donation: €5,000.
Women Pa'lante: formed in 2007 in Barcelona. Donation: €15,000
Women Sowing: created in 2015 in Mérida, Extremadura. Donation: €5,000
Women Survivors: was created in 2013 in Seville. Donation: €10,000
For You Woman: created in Valencia in 2009. Donation: €15,000
We are more: was born in 2016 in Zaragoza. Donation: €15,000

Amalgam

Created in 2009 in Madrid by migrant women working for their right to a life free of violence. In recent years, they have promoted the Network of Migrant Community Promoters for equality and prevention of violence., The project is made up of 12 volunteers who provide accompaniment to women who experience gender-based violence.

With the support of Calala, in 2020 they have consolidated this Network of Community Promoters, working in several districts of Madrid with a high proportion of migrant population (Carabanchel, Ciudad lineal, Arganzuela and Vallecas). They have accompanied migrant women in their processes to escape from violence and have carried out training activities internally and for other groups and professionals who accompany women in situations of gender-based violence. They have also carried out actions to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence, improved their protocols for action and continued to build alliances with other migrant groups.

Ultraviolet light

Feminist and diverse women's group that started in 2019 in Arnedo, La Rioja. They support women around them who experience violence against women, run violence prevention workshops for young people, monthly rallies in memory of murdered women and awareness-raising campaigns.

With the help of Calala, in 2020 they wanted to establish a headquarters for the collective, creating a safe space for all women in need, including women experiencing gender-based violence. A place to meet and develop training and other activities that promote women's wellbeing and give them the tools to empower themselves and move forward. They have also proposed to continue and expand the activities undertaken for young women and to strengthen psychological and legal counselling for women who have experienced or are experiencing gender-based violence.

Women forwards

Migrant women's association formed in 2007 in Barcelona. It offers information, accompaniment and first reception services for migrant women, as well as support networks and different workshops. They are members of the Network of Latin American and Caribbean Women in Spain, as well as of the Platform against gender violence in Catalonia.

In 2020, with the support of Calala, they have started a process of internal training on gender-based violence for their first reception team. In this course, they have integrated an intersectional perspective, reflecting on the multiple discriminations suffered by migrant women with few resources. They have also completed their course for community promoters against gender-based violence, aimed at training participants to accompany victims of gender-based violence. They provide accompaniment in trials for gender-based violence, in administrative procedures and carry out prevention work.

Women Sowing

Organisation created in 2015 in Mérida, Extremadura, made up of around 80 women, most of them young and many of them migrants. They provide assistance to women in particularly vulnerable situations., They create job orientation itineraries, provide legal assistance to women victims of gender-based violence, assist migrant women and their families, organise training courses and provide school support for the children of the participants.

With the support of Calala, they have provided care for women victims of gender-based violence in 2020, They have offered them legal and psychosocial accompaniment throughout the process and have supported them in the search for resources provided by the administration. It has also allowed them to maintain their premises “El Sitio de las Mujeres”, a safe space where they favour an adequate family and social environment for these women and their children.

Women Survivors

It was created in 2013 in Seville. In addition to accompaniment in situations of male violence, they organise courses and workshops on feminism, empowerment, community participation and social theatre. They also have a soup kitchen “Comer en Compañía”.

Thanks to Calala's support, they have consolidated their Neighbourhood Women's Network in 2020. From a feminist, intergenerational and intercultural perspective, they provide psychological support and legal and social counselling to women experiencing gender-based violence. For them, women who have experienced gender-based violence need to recover emotionally through personal reconstruction and empowerment. The denunciation is promoted, always respecting the process of each one, not from a position of victim, but as a citizen exercising her rights.

For You Woman

Association of migrant women created in Valencia in 2009. Through their work they want to contribute to equality between women and men and reduce the risks of social exclusion, working for migrant women's right to a life free from violence and promote the autonomy of the most vulnerable women.

With the support of Calala in 2020, they have provided support to women in situations of gender-based violence, including women who do not have their administrative status regularised and women with dependent children. They provided information and psychological counselling to women at risk or victims of gender-based violence. They have also provided accompaniment to migrant women victims of violence, legal advice, support for socio-occupational integration or referral to other resources, including shelters. In addition, these women are included in the association's group work, through which they are trained, empowered and care for their wellbeing and mental health.

We are more

Organisation of women survivors of male violence that was born in 2016 in Zaragoza. In addition to direct support for women who have experienced gender-based violence, it aims to to make them visible as women who have been able to start another life, independent and free, who are happy to have left violence behind and to encourage others to do so.

Calala's support in 2020 enabled them to strengthen their work in legal counselling and individualised psychological support., This money has also provided them with technological tools to facilitate the development of their activities. The money has also enabled them to equip themselves with technological tools to facilitate the development of their activities. The aim was to contribute to making women more empowered and safer when they enter a police station to report their partner or ex-partner and throughout the whole process that results from that report.