Last Friday, March 15, we publicly presented the first Observatory of Institutional Violence Against Women (OVIM) in the European region. After more than a year of work, this initiative, which will operate throughout the Spanish state, was finally able to see the light before more than 200 attendees: allied organizations, institutions, civil society, press... A key moment that took place within the framework of the International Forum of Feminist Observatories against Institutional Sexist Violence, with the presence of international colleagues from Observatorio Colombiano de Feminicidios, Observatorio Ciudadano Nacional del Feminicidio (OCNF) from Mexico and the Observatório das Mulheres (OM) from Mozambique.
"We are facing an important legal revolution," he said. Laia Serra, criminal lawyer and activist, at the start of the day. According to Serra, it is essential that the organisations themselves lead the way to public administrations so that no woman is left behind. “Working in a network is essential. Being present not only in civil society spaces but also where decisions are made,” she added. Priscilla Cabrera, from the Aspacia Foundation, one of the entities that forms part of the Observatory assembly.
Anti-racist and intersectional view
The overrepresentation of migrant women in the figures for femicides was one of the points raised during the Forum. "The Immigration Law is the main issue, added to the fact that migrant women are the ones who most often go to the police and courts; which shows us a possible institutional bias," she explained. Tatiana Retamozo, from AIETI, another of the entities that forms part of the Observatory assembly.
But the intersectional view does not end here. Paqui Perona, from Veus Gitanes, recalled that institutional violence is historical for the Roma people and, furthermore, is justified by culture: "There are only two possible paths: either you report and you have reprisals, or you do not report to safeguard your community."
Lack of specialized professionals. Justice that arrives late. Lack of protection when reporting. There were many examples shared in the first part of the day. However, positive advances in this area were also emphasized. On the one hand, the introduction of institutional sexist violence in the 'Protocol Mark for an Intervention with Diligence in Situations of Mascista Violence' of the Generalitat de Catalunya. On the other hand, the collective strength from organizations and civil society.
During the second part of the day we publicly presented the OVIM. They were Liliana Aragon y Marina Oliva, Associació Hèlia, together with Julia Vega y Alba Moreira, from Almena Feminista, those in charge. A unique opportunity in which demands were collected such as the importance of forging alliances with protective mothers, of asking for and receiving collective reparation, of influencing institutional gender Islamophobia or of making a connection with those who have been observing State violence for years.
International Alliances
Finally, the interventions of the comrades from Mexico, Colombia and Mozambique arrived. "It is not only about denouncing, but also about supporting during the process, because we do not know if the aggressor will be supported by the State," she commented. Maria de la Luz Estrada, from the Observatorio Ciudadano Nacional del Feminicidio (OCNF) en Mexico City.
They followed Carol Rojas of the Observatorio Colombiano de Feminicidios, together with Quiteria Guirengane, from the Observatório das Mulheres (OM) from Mozambique. “It is essential to respond to the insecurity of women human rights defenders, as well as to unite international struggles through a network of allies in different territories.”
Let's go?
