Lanzarote Cabildo observed a minute’s silence this Monday in condemnation of the first confirmed femicide of the year in the Canary Islands. The act took place in front of the Cabildo building in Arrecife, attended by senior officials and staff.
The victim, a 43-year-old woman, was allegedly murdered by her partner on 5th January in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. According to data from the Ministry of Equality, there were previous reports of gender-based violence against the alleged perpetrator. The woman leaves behind two children.
The event was attended by the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, the vice president, María Jesús Tovar, and the councillor for Equality, Marci Acuña, alongside other councillors and institutional staff.
Following the silence, President Oswaldo Betancort stated that every murder of a woman by a man represents a collective failure and an extreme violation of human rights. He noted that “this crime in the Canary Islands is in addition to the one that occurred recently in Jaén, which shows that gender violence continues to be a reality throughout the country and requires a firm response from public administrations.”
Vice President María Jesús Tovar emphasised that gender-based violence is a social problem requiring a coordinated, firm, and sustained response over time. She insisted on the critical importance of early detection and robust institutional support.
Lanzarote Support Services
Councillor for Equality, Marci Acuña, detailed the local support available, explaining that the Cabildo maintains specialised services for women victims of gender violence through the Comprehensive Care Service for Women and Minors (SIAM). This service offers emotional, social, and legal support, as well as specialised guidance and accompaniment.
In 2025, the Cabildo’s specialised services assisted 542 victims of gender violence through SIAM. This figure includes 433 women and 109 minors. A further 159 women were assisted by the Emergency Response Unit for Assaulted Women (DEMA), which activates in situations of immediate risk.
The Cabildo maintains an island-wide network of comprehensive care for victims, encompassing information, guidance, psychological, social, and legal services, alongside emergency response, immediate shelter, and temporary accommodation.
How to Seek Help
The Island Centre for Equality and Care for Women can be contacted on 928 824 970 or 928 598 529, or via email at serviciodeigualdad@cabildodelanzarote.com.
For any emergency situation, the 112 Emergency Telephone is available 24 hours a day, providing immediate and specialised assistance.
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