The Mararía Social Association inaugurated this Friday its new headquarters in Arrecife in an event attended by the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort; the vice president, Jacobo Medina; the Councilor of the Area of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, and the director of the Canarian Institute of Equality (ICI), Ana Brito, who showed their commitment to the association chaired by Nieves Rosa Hernández.
As the highest island representative, Oswaldo Betancort expressed his pride in the joint effort that has culminated in, "after several moves, Mararía finally finds a comfortable space where it can develop a valuable work in favor of equality and women's rights." During his speech, he expressed his desire that "this new space is up to the importance of the services provided by the public utility entity and the effort deployed by its staff and volunteers."
The president of the Association, Nieves Rosa Hernández, expressed her gratitude to all the people and entities that have been able to attend. "We have been for 30 years as the first information center on the island worthy for women, users, technicians and all the people who need it." In addition, she encouraged the users and volunteers of the feminist organization to "continue with their activities in these new facilities, located in a modern and spacious building, which has been conditioned and adapted to the privacy requirements of the consultations of those who come to make their socio-labor, legal, psychological and any other nature consultations."
For his part, the Councilor for Social Welfare, Marci Acuña, considered that "the Mararía Association is an indisputable reference for the fight for gender equality in Lanzarote." Acuña added that "male chauvinist violence is still very present in our society and, unfortunately, the figures of victims in our country are very high." "We want to continue proposing a barrier of help to face the whole situation that is being experienced and associations like Mararía are fundamental in this objective," he said.
Likewise, the director of the Canarian Institute of Equality (ICI), highlighted the relevance of these associations "that fight for our equality" and added that "it is essential that all entities are present in this circumstance, joining efforts and resources to offer victims the support they need."
The Mararía Association has a trajectory of 30 years and is an essential part of the social transformation and progress of the island. It provides support and care to thousands of women and families in vulnerable situations. During the past year, the Comprehensive Care Service for Women Victims of Gender Violence on the island (SIAM) served a total of 739 women, reinforcing its commitment to the community through the incorporation of specialized professionals and the restructuring of services.
On the other hand, this year will open a specific device for the comprehensive care of women victims of sexual exploitation on the island, thanks to the support of the Government of the Canary Islands.
The inauguration of the new headquarters of the Mararía Association, located next to the Chamber of Commerce (on the road from Arrecife to San Bartolomé) is a further step towards the construction of a just and egalitarian society, where all people who require it can receive social and labor care, finding the support and solidarity they deserve.
