Festival vouchers launched to fight gender violence

Cantabria's regional government launched a campaign on May 15 that ties discounted summer music-festival passes to information about local support for victims of gender violence. The initiative, called “Libres,” was presented in Santander by Begoña Gómez del Río, the regional minister for Inclusion Social, Youth, Families and Equality. Under the scheme, 1,000 “Bono Jovenmanía” passes will be sold to people aged 14 to 30 for 90 euros, giving access to four festivals. (europapress.es) The campaign is built around promoting Cantabria’s 24-hour helpline for victims of gender violence, 942 214 141. ### Which festivals are included in the pass? The 90-euro pass covers Música en Grande, Hoky Music, Bahía Sun and Negrita Music Festival, according to the regional government’s youth portal and reporting from Europa Press. (europapress.es) The government said the combined price represents a saving of about 53% compared with buying access to the events separately. Jovenmanía, the youth portal of the Government of Cantabria, said the offer was launched by the ministry as a way to combine music and awareness-raising during the summer festival season. Sales began at 12 p.m. on May 15 through Jovenmanía and conciertosdecantabria.com. ### What do buyers have to do to get the discount? (europapress.es) Europa Press reported that buyers can obtain the 90-euro price if they answer a series of questions about the government’s gender-violence support resource. The campaign is designed to put the helpline in front of younger audiences in settings where large numbers of young people gather. Begoña Gómez del Río said the pass was meant to give visibility to the phone line among young people. “Es un gesto mínimo, pero con gran valor para generar conciencia,” she said, according to Europa Press. (europapress.es) She also said it was important that young people know the number because it offers permanent attention, confidentiality and support. ### What help does the phone line provide? The Cantabria government said the 24-hour line, 942 214 141, can be used to resolve doubts, learn about available resources, receive professional support and ask for help. Gómez del Río said callers do not need to be in an extreme situation to use it. “No hace falta estar en situación extrema para llamar,” she said, adding that the service is also for people who are unsure whether what they are experiencing is normal or who simply need guidance. (europapress.es) The regional government’s women’s portal lists additional in-person resources, including a 24-hour crisis center for women who are victims of sexual violence and information and assistance centers in Santander, Torrelavega and Laredo. The government says those services sit within its wider violence-against-women support network. (europapress.es) ### How does this fit with Spain’s national hotline? Gómez del Río said Cantabria’s 942 214 141 does not replace Spain’s national 016 hotline but complements it by offering direct connection to resources available inside the region. That framing was part of the government’s pitch for a locally focused service that can direct callers to nearby assistance. Spain’s national equality system also continues to fund regional anti-violence measures. (europapress.es) The central government said in April that Cantabria would receive just over 3.09 million euros for the fight against gender violence. ### What happens next at the festivals? The Cantabria government said the “Libres” campaign will have a physical presence at the four summer festivals included in the pass. (mujerdecantabria.com) Gómez del Río said the aim is to make the helpline visible in places where thousands of young people meet and spend time together. The next step for the program is the sale and use of the 1,000 passes through Jovenmanía and conciertosdecantabria.com, followed by on-site campaign activity at Música en Grande, Hoky Music, Bahía Sun and Negrita Music Festival during the 2026 summer season. (europapress.es) (mptmd.gob.es)