Call for 'free and safe spaces' on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was marked by the Catalan government, Barcelona City Council, and Barcelona Regional Council at a joint event in Barcelona on Monday.

The three institutions gathered at Plaça Sant Jaume with a call to "break the silence," and committed to working together to eradicate gender-based violence.

This year, the focus has also been on the need to have "free and safe spaces."

The Minister of Equality and Feminism, Eva Menor, urged all citizens to take an "active" role in the addressing this problem.

During the event, a minute's silence was held in remembrance of the victims – 16 women and 3 children since January – and a joint manifesto was read.