Public sector workers who must relocate due to gender-based violence will be able to stay employed and retain their salaries. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, brings together Gabriela Bravo, the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Public Administration, along with the Minister for Innovation, Universities, Science and the Digital Society, Josefina Bueno, and leaders from five Valencian state universities. The transfer options include moves between different public institutions and within autonomous administration, ensuring flexibility for affected staff.
Bravo described the pact as a bold step against sexist violence, stressing that the measure makes clear to women suffering from this abuse that they are not alone and that institutions and civil society stand with them. The intent is to translate compassion into practical protection and mobility for victims.
The initiative is designed to help victims rebuild their lives by removing barriers that often arise when a step forward could trigger a setback. The minister notes that the scope of the agreement extends beyond the public sector, reaching the broader economy. Large companies with multiple sites and other private employers could adopt similar mobility and protection schemes for female staff affected by gender-based violence.
Meanwhile, the ministry urged employers and labor unions to coordinate transfer systems and protective measures for workers who are victims of gender violence, ensuring that policies are in place to safeguard their position and income during transitions.
In Alicante and Valencia, university leaders Amparo Navarro and Mavi Mestre, along with rectors from Miguel Hernández University in Elche, Vicente Cervera from Jaume I University in Castellón, and José Esteban Capilla from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, were joined by other officials to emphasize a greater role for public institutions in combating this scourge. The dialogue highlighted a new regulatory tool that promises faster, more efficient transfers of staff within the framework of the Generalitat’s III Plan for gender equality, approved earlier this year. This marks a practical evolution of social support, aligning workforce mobility with social protection goals.
Bravo reiterated ongoing investments in fighting gender-based violence, noting funding levels that support Crime Victims Assistance Offices daily and annually, helping thousands of women who seek help and shelter. The figures presented include the daily intake of cases and the broader impact on survivor support services, underscoring the government’s commitment to sustaining these essential resources.
Amparo Navarro began remarks on behalf of the five university presidents, reflecting on grim statistics that underscore the urgency of action. The year has seen multiple fatalities among women due to domestic violence, along with countless children affected by these tragedies. Navarro described the signed agreement as a beacon of hope, a pathway out of a difficult situation that preserves dignity and facilitates mobility for working women. The agreement also extends the option for students who are victims of abuse to change universities as a continuation of a policy first established in 2015, reinforcing a culture of safety and support across the higher education system.
Minister Bueno highlighted the sustained effort of universities to integrate gender equality into all aspects of academic life. He stressed that campuses should be spaces where gender-based violence is not tolerated and where equality values shape daily life across the university community. The collaboration among institutions aims to translate social commitment into concrete changes on campuses and in the broader labor market, benefiting women who seek safety and continuity in their careers.
Among the attendees were municipal and union representatives, together with leaders from various universities and government bodies, demonstrating broad support for this cross-sector initiative and its potential to influence policy and practice beyond the public sector. This collective effort signals a broader commitment to safeguarding victims and enabling their professional continuity across institutions and sectors, echoing the shared goal of healthier, safer workplaces for all.