Andalucía organiza más de 40 actividades para menores víctimas de violencia de género este verano

The Department of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality, through the Andalusian Institute for Women (IAM), has organized more than 40 activities for the daughters and sons who live with their mothers in the shelters for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. This edition of the Vacacionantes program, which takes place from July 1st to September 7th, includes leisure, cultural, sports, and educational activities with the aim of promoting a fun and violence-free holiday.

The Vacacionantes program is based on education in values of equality, respect, and empathy to achieve in the sheltered individuals a correct expression of emotions, conflict resolution, respect for diversity, reinforcement of self-esteem, and increased autonomy after the violence suffered. This program is of particular importance for the children and young people in shelters, as it is a space to create, have fun, learn, share, and get to know their new city. The activities are carried out by a multidisciplinary team, where the monitors play a fundamental role.

The Minister of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, Loles López, has stated that «this program is part of the recovery process for the minors who have experienced such traumatic experiences.» In this regard, she emphasized that «the goal is to facilitate their return to normality as quickly as possible, and that involves having normalized holidays, full of games, laughter, and fun.»

López recalled that this program is carried out during the holiday periods of Christmas, Easter, and summer in the entire comprehensive network of care and shelter for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. She also stressed that in «the shelters, which consist of emergency centers, shelters, and supervised apartments, comprehensive care is provided, including psychological, social, and legal assistance to contribute to the recovery of victims of gender-based violence.»

More than 40 scheduled performances

The over 40 scheduled performances this summer are divided into four groups: creative, educational, sports/cooperative, and recreational. The creative activities offer the opportunity to delve into reality, explore it, learn to express oneself, especially through music workshops, a mini chef school, or creating summer murals. There are also puppet-making and theatrical performances.

In the educational block, learning and the development of emotional expression are promoted, with reading animation as the central axis. There are reading clubs, school support workshops, science workshops, English classes, and new technologies, among others.

Regarding sports and cooperative activities, the focus is on developing psychomotor skills, as well as fostering cooperative attitudes, promoting the real and equal participation of all individuals. This section highlights water games, excursions to natural spaces, dance workshops, yoga classes, and kite making workshops.

Finally, the recreational initiatives provide opportunities for families to have fun while promoting knowledge of the new place of residence, appreciation of the cultural heritage, and its relationship with the city’s history. These joint outings facilitate the relationship between mothers and children. Trips to the beach, cultural visits, summer cinema, or themed parties are some of the planned activities.