The far-right Vox assumes powers in gender violence amid criticism from the opposition: "A party that denies it, trivializes it, and whitewashes it"

The rejection of Vox regarding gender violence suffered by women and its opposition to a large part of feminist policies have marked the discourse of the far-right formation since its birth. Now, after the pact reached with the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, the far-right party will manage in the community competencies related to this matter within the scope of the Administration of Justice, despite its leader, Santiago Abascal, having requested in the Senate the repeal of the Gender Violence Law and the closure of the Ministry of Equality. 

The decree for the reorganization of the Andalusian Government transfers to the Ministry of Tourism, Justice, Deregulation and Local Administration, led by Manuel Gavira, the functions that until now depended on the Justice department. Among them are the competencies "related to gender violence that are connected to the administration of Justice", an area that includes the organization of comprehensive gender violence assessment units and the development of action protocols.

The text also attributes to Gavira's Ministry the "design, coordination, and execution of training plans, especially those related to specific training on gender violence, for judges and magistrates, prosecutors, and lawyers of the Administration of Justice", as well as the coordination of training aimed at professionals involved in judicial procedures related to victims of gender violence.

In addition to these functions, the department led by the Vox leader will assume competencies in matters of juvenile justice, attention to victims of crimes and terrorism, mediation, professional associations, foundations and associations, as well as institutional relations with the Andalusian Office against Fraud and Corruption. The decree also incorporates under its scope issues related to the care of migrant minors, another of Vox's main demands in recent years.

The opposition attacks Vox

The decision has provoked an immediate reaction from opposition groups. From the PSOE-A, its deputy spokesperson, Ángeles Férriz, has demanded that Juanma Moreno "rectify" this decision "out of respect for murdered and endangered women". Furthermore, she has described as "intolerable and indecent that Mr. Moreno Bonilla has left the protection and attention to victims of gender violence in the hands of Vox. A party that denies gender violence, that trivializes it, that whitewashes it".

Also from the socialist ranks, Olga Manzano has warned that "women's rights are in danger. That those who deny gender violence control the measures and the professionals who protect us is tremendous." 

For his part, the spokesperson for Adelante Andalucía, José Ignacio García, has described the decision as "danger and irresponsibility" and has assured that "We will not allow a single attack on the fight against gender violence and on Andalusian women and the rights of Andalusian women".

From Por Andalucía, Antonio Maíllo has accused the PP of "not only not setting limits on the far right but also making its own agenda", while denouncing that "Moreno Bonilla once again pays for Vox's support with women's rights. Now he hands over the service that assesses victims of gender violence". For her part, Rosa Rodríguez has considered it an "irresponsibility" to question the work of these services "to please those who systematically deny gender violence", warning that "Ending the autonomy of the assessment units to ensure maintaining the government means crossing an unacceptable red line".