‘Ask Angela’ plan launched for women in Mijas

Mijas has launched the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign, a UK-originated initiative aimed at preventing gender-based violence and supporting women who feel unsafe in public spaces, particularly in bars and nightclubs. 

Ana Mata, the head of the Equality Department and Mayor of Mijas, introduced this campaign during a Thursday 26th, June press conference.

The ‘Ask for Angela’ programme allows women who feel threatened or at risk to discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking for ‘Ángela’. This codeword will alert staff to the fact that someone needs help. A protocol is then initiated to offer support, without alerting possible aggressors. This initiative, promoted and implemented by Viogenex Group (Gender Violence Against Foreign Women), targets physical and psychological threats within public places.

Viogenex, a collaborative effort involving Mijas’ Foreigners Department and Family, Equality, and Social Inclusion Departments; local police; Guardia Civil; Soroptimist International Costa del Sol; Red Cross; La Cala Lions Club; Age Care; and Málaga Acoge, aims to protect women in vulnerable situations. Mayor Mata noted that 50 establishments from La Cala and Mijas Pueblo are already involved in the campaign.

Mata stated that “Mijas Council works comprehensively to fight gender-based violence.” “Our Foreigners Department showed a special sensitivity in collaborating with local organizations to promote such initiatives.” She also praised Viogenex and Viogen – Spain’s integrated gender abuse monitoring system – which manages currently 315 active cases of violence in Mijas.

The mayor thanked the Viogenex organisations for their commitment to monitor and address gender violence in the local community. He also stressed the importance of the community’s support in such campaigns.