She is the first lady influencer of Ecuador. In an interview with PRIMICIAS, Lavinia Valbonesi talks about her project for victims of violence and asks women not to remain silent about the abuse.
The first lady of Ecuador, Lavinia Valbonesi, in an interview with PRIMICIAS, Guayaquil, March 4, 2024.
In person, Lavinia Valbonesi is much taller and effusive. She greets them with a hug and at the outset asks with a smile that they highlight her rescue project for women and children in situations of violence, which she presents this March 8, when International Women’s Day is commemorated.
They have been busy days for Valbonesi, a 25-year-old former model who gave birth to her second son, named Furio. A little more than a month later, she flew to Washington in search of support and funds for this social project, which is expected to be carried out in 14 months and benefit some 80,000 women.
Dressed in black and gray, subtly groomed and with little makeup, Valbonesi’s image has been reconstructed and stylized to occupy her new role, which she claims she takes advantage of to talk about gender violence.
Valbonesi grants his first interview to PRIMICIAS since his arrival in Carondelet, and he does so when President Daniel Noboa has passed his first 100 days in office.
It has been described as a key point in Noboa’s victory in October 2023, although she denies it. “Although I was not the one who helped him get the votes and win, I am there to lift him up every day,” says Valbonesi, from her home in Guayaquil, in an exclusive penthouse in a building facing the city’s Malecón.
You mentioned that this social project in Daniel Noboa’s government was born from an anecdote, what exactly happened?
It was a topic that came up on campaign trails, when I talked to people and women. They asked for a lot of support, because my husband was the candidate and they saw me, as his wife, as the means to spread his hope.
Most, if not almost all, were victims of some type of violence. In addition, they said that their children, children or grandchildren were victims and they did not know how to handle it.
Was nothing improvised or along the way?
The project arose based on the need that we saw, because when we already knew that my husband had the possibility of winning, we began to say how I can support him.
I always knew I wanted to be an active and present first lady, but it had to be a cause that motivated me to get up every day and work. I told them I wanted to work against the abuse of women and children, and they told me I couldn’t, that we didn’t have time. But the topic is something that moves me.
Why does it motivate you? Has she been a victim of any type of violence or harassment?
I don’t think I have been a victim in a direct way, but I have many people around me who have been victims. I am a very empathetic person, and I feel when they tell me something.
I feel pain, anger, and frustration; Not because I haven’t suffered it (the abuse), I don’t feel like it’s not mine.
What is Lavinia Valbonesi looking for with this project?
I believe that abuse is the beginning of many of the problems in our country and in the world, such as drugs and violence. It’s a vicious cycle, and I believe I can create a great impact because of the role I have now.
In addition to being the country’s young first lady, I am an influential first lady, and I have managed to get many people to open up and tell their story.
I want them to feel safe and not guilty or judged, when violence is pitifully normalized.
Is the first lady creating an Ecuadorian ‘me too’?
Exactly, and I want to emphasize that abuse happens in all social classes. She passed by with my schoolmate, who needed to improve her grades, and she told me that her biology teacher told her one day ‘come up at recess to see how I can help you’, and he touched her over her clothes.
She left and never spoke about it, but we don’t know how many more people the professor abused.
Why do women normalize abuse?
I am sure that we normalized the abuse, I say this for my partner, who did not pay much attention to it.
Therefore, the first phase of the project is education and prevention of this situation of violence. And also that they learn to react as mothers, because the moment a child or young person comes to tell us, we should not feel guilty.
And the second phase of the project is the physical center that will be inaugurated this March 8?
This March 8 we will be at the Nazareth Home Center (Guayaquil), with many women victims of abuse, both young and old.
We are going to give them tablets as the second phase of the project, because the government already has shelters, where they offer legal and psychological advice to women, and for a certain amount of time, they can stay there.
But, when time runs out, if they do not feel economically independent, they cannot get ahead on their own and return to the cycle of violence.
We are going to equip these centers with tablets and technological resources so that they can receive different courses, and at the end when they have completed their cycle, with the help of Ministries and private companies, place them in jobs.
What were the specific results of your trip to Washington?
I met with the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, with whom we talked about the project and she said that she is interested in presenting it to the rest of the first ladies of the world, to see where we can implement it.
We met with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and they offered us technical resources to advance and perfect the project.
The PADF (Pan American Development Foundation) and the World Bank offered us non-refundable technical resources , which is very important, because we know that my husband’s government received a country without money.
Furthermore, as you know, the first lady does not have a specific role and her team does not have resources or funding from the government, and the help received will help us move forward. We cannot yet disclose the amounts, but they are important resources.
If the role of the first lady is not defined, how has she managed the activities so far?
First of all there is the support of my husband, who lets me go and ask the different Ministries, and everyone has been willing to support.
Until now, all the resources have been from our own pockets, and for the project there are private companies that have offered us their support.
Valbonesi on feminism and politics
On this March 8, what would you say is your reference for feminism?
There is someone I love like a mother, she is not my blood mother, but she is an example of a mother, a friend, a fighting woman and a person who helps those who need it.
More than a reference for feminism, she is my example of a fighting and resilient woman. Her name is Alicia, and she deserves all her recognition, because even though she has suffered a lot, she has shown that she was able to get back up.
On Women’s Day, the cliché of giving roses and congratulating women persists. What do you think about this?
I consider that each person will have their reasons for doing so, and I respect all positions. It makes no difference to me if they congratulate me or give me a flower.
We are the more delicate sex, but not the weaker, because we are capable of doing everything we commit to and Women’s Day is a reminder of that.
What is the political role of the first lady in the Noboa government?
We are a team and we complement each other. He says I have the most important role, because I pick him up when he’s stressed.
But are there political voices that believe otherwise and did it help to achieve part of those votes?
I don’t know, I think the truth was the merit of his work, preparation and ability.
