'Significantly' more unhoused women come to Girona

In recent months, the number of unhoused women in Girona has increased “significantly.”

The reason for the increase is that many women come to the northern Catalan city from other places to come to shelters such as La Sopa, where women can stay overnight all year round.

In winter, the old UNED building, managed by the Girona city council, also opens its doors for women.

As a result, there are no empty beds left in the shelters, and the city’s social services warn that they are struggling to keep up with the demand and that the women show up “very affected” by the violence they have suffered.

Depression led to homelessness

One of the women who spends winter nights at UNED is Marta, who has lived on the streets of Girona for six years.

She became unhoused after experiencing depression following the death of her mother, which led her to drug abuse and a gambling addiction.

“I found myself in Girona with a suitcase, not knowing what to do,” she tells the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Originally, Marta is from Sant Feliu de Guíxol, on the Costa Brava south of Girona, and she ended up on the streets after her father kicked her out because of her problems.

Violence and rape victim

Marta has experienced a lot in the last six years, but two incidents were “very bad.”

One was when another unhoused person beat her up so badly that she broke her nose and lost 90% of her sight in one eye.

The other situation, Marta explains, happened less than three months ago. She was raped and the perpetrator tried to kill her. They also stole all of her belongings, but at least, she said, she was able to “save her life.”

“Common” situations

Raquel Rico, who works at Girona’s social services, tells ACN that these situations are “common” among unhoused women.

She adds that many women end up turning down help “when they see that there are many men.”

“When women come in from the street, they are very afraid and in very bad shape,” says Rico. “We try to take care of them the best that we can, but it’s very difficult.”

The social worker stresses that it’s important to open more shelters because the current offer “is not enough.”

The Girona City Council says it has repeatedly asked for other cities in the country to get involved because Girona is “saturated."