The Government of the Azores celebrated today the International Women's Day in Ponta Delgada by formalising the transfer of a property to the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) for the installation of the Assistance and Social Monitoring Centre of this institution.
 
"Through this transfer, the Regional Government has sought to ensure a different and safe environment with all the conditions so that people may live according to their needs, always with quality support services," said the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity.
 
In his speech, Andreia Cardoso reaffirmed the Government's commitment to "implementing a concerted and structured policy to combat domestic and gender violence," highlighting the fact that recent national reports indicate that the Azores was the registered the largest reduction in the number of identified cases.
 
Noting that "various social actors do not always agree on what should be the responses to victims," Andreia Cardoso stressed the progress made in this area in the archipelago. According to her, "today we work together towards common goals and we are allies in the fight against this scourge.”
 
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity acknowledged that this situation is, mainly, the result of "persistence and tenacity" of partner institutions working in this area and, to the same extent, "it is also the result of the progressive institutional openness towards a concerted work that has sought to ensure a multidisciplinary and effective response."
 
The new building will allow a reduction of annual costs with income of about 6,000 Euros, with the operation of this valance is already supported by a Value-Client Cooperation Agreement concluded between the APAV and the Institute of the Azores Social Security.
 
"I hope this space, more than a home for people affected by this scourge and the people who defend them, is a constant reminder that our work has to be daily, persistent and unwavering in the fight against violence in all its forms," said Andreia Cardoso.
 
The transfer of the building, located at Praça Dr. José Almeida Pavão Júnior, Ponta Delgada, was approved at the meeting of the Council of the Government held on February 13. It is defined in accordance with the Resolution of the Council of the Government no.19/2017 of March 8, 2017.