The Vice President of the Principality of Asturias, Gimena Llamedo, has confirmed that Gijón will have a crisis centre for women victims of sexual violence by 2027. This facility will complement the existing centre in Oviedo, which has assisted 1,810 individuals since its opening in 2020.
Llamedo also announced that negotiations for the Asturian Care Pact will commence this month. She provided an update on the implementation of commitments made by President Adrián Barbón during the recent political orientation debate.
In the area overseen by Llamedo, which includes the Departments of Presidency, Demographic Challenge, Equality, and Tourism, eleven specific measures have been outlined. Of these, one has already been completed, six are progressing as scheduled, and four are set for 2027, pending the approval of regional budgets.
Commitments in equality
Key measures include the establishment of the crisis centre in Gijón, which aims to ensure that every victim receives immediate public support, regardless of their location. Additionally, there will be an enhancement of women's advisory centres, which will incorporate social workers by 2027.
Support for families
The government plans to increase support for families, with funding for reconciliation measures rising to €1.2 million. Families with three or more children will receive up to €1,200 in assistance.
Tourism developments
Modernisation works at the La Rectoral hotel in Taramundi are expected to begin before the end of the year. The government is finalising the second phase of the Les Llanes project in Cangas de Onís, with an analysis set to be completed by February, paving the way for a new public accommodation network to boost rural tourism.
Funding for tourism-related festivals will increase from €250,000 to €470,000 in the 2027 budget. The football teams Real Oviedo and Real Avilés will also feature the Asturias Paraíso Natural brand on their kits.
Digital strategy
The Encina artificial intelligence strategy is currently underway, with the first version of the digital twin of Asturias expected to be available to the public in January.
Llamedo framed these commitments within the broader context of the legislative period, noting that Asturias has experienced two consecutive years of population growth and achieved the highest number of returns from abroad in 2024. The processing time for birth grants has improved significantly, now resolved within five months compared to the year and a half in 2023, and tourism has recorded the highest overnight stays in its history between January and August.
“This is the Asturias we are building with the people of Asturias. An Asturias that grows and cares,” Llamedo stated, emphasising the government’s commitment to accountability and concrete proposals.
