Spanish Women March in Solidarity for Rights Amid Adverse Weather Conditions
Thousands participate in demonstrations across major Spanish cities, despite rain and political controversies.
Thousands of women took to the streets across several major cities in Spain, including Madrid, Valencia, Toledo, Bilbao, and Gijón, to advocate for women's rights, undeterred by inclement weather.
In Málaga, severe rainfall led to the cancellation of planned demonstrations.
In Madrid, two separate marches occurred, where participants expressed their solidarity with slogans such as "vivas nos queremos"—a reference to the 1,295 deaths of women due to gender-based violence since 2003—and calls against patriarchal oppression amid concerns over a potential regression of women's rights.
The first demonstration in Madrid was organized by the Comisión 8M, attracting an estimated 25,000 attendees according to government figures, with organizers citing numbers as high as 80,000.
Under the banner "Feministas antirracistas.
¡A las calles! Nos va la vida en ello," the march commenced at Atocha station and concluded at Plaza de España, where a final manifesto was read.
This year’s International Women’s Day, marked on March 8, presented challenges for left-wing parties in Spain due to ongoing scandals involving key figures within the PSOE, Sumar, and Podemos.
Allegations of sexual harassment against former Sumar spokesperson Íñigo Errejón and Podemos founder Juan Carlos Monedero contributed to a tense atmosphere for these parties, which have traditionally aligned feminism at the core of their political agendas.
In her address to the crowd, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz emphasized the essential nature of feminism, stating, "El mundo será feminista o no será," and affirmed that the movement would not take a step back.
Mónica García, the Minister of Health and leader of Más Madrid, refrained from commenting on the allegations against Errejón, asserting the unstoppable nature of feminism.
Responding to inquiries about Monedero, former Minister of Equality Irene Montero defended her party’s proactive measures against misconduct.
She highlighted the ongoing problems of impunity and silence surrounding sexual violence in positions of power, advocating for collective responsibility in addressing such issues.
Additionally, the PSOE faced scrutiny amidst the backdrop of former high-ranking official José Luis Ábalos' involvement in a controversy linked to alleged encounters with sex workers.
The PSOE’s stance on abolishing all forms of prostitution may face scrutiny given these allegations.
Ana Redondo, the Minister of Equality, who participated in both marches in Madrid, called for unity among feminists, stating that common goals must prevail over divisions.
She urged for women's voices to rise above misinformation and rhetoric challenging their rights.
In contrast, the People's Party (PP) criticized the left parties for hypocrisy regarding recent controversies.
Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo acknowledged the significance of March 8 while avoiding contentious remarks.
The PP disseminated a video depicting leftist leaders in a negative light, which drew criticism from the ruling coalition.
Redondo articulated that such actions demonstrate the PP's opposition to advancing women's rights.
In Málaga, severe rainfall led to the cancellation of planned demonstrations.
In Madrid, two separate marches occurred, where participants expressed their solidarity with slogans such as "vivas nos queremos"—a reference to the 1,295 deaths of women due to gender-based violence since 2003—and calls against patriarchal oppression amid concerns over a potential regression of women's rights.
The first demonstration in Madrid was organized by the Comisión 8M, attracting an estimated 25,000 attendees according to government figures, with organizers citing numbers as high as 80,000.
Under the banner "Feministas antirracistas.
¡A las calles! Nos va la vida en ello," the march commenced at Atocha station and concluded at Plaza de España, where a final manifesto was read.
This year’s International Women’s Day, marked on March 8, presented challenges for left-wing parties in Spain due to ongoing scandals involving key figures within the PSOE, Sumar, and Podemos.
Allegations of sexual harassment against former Sumar spokesperson Íñigo Errejón and Podemos founder Juan Carlos Monedero contributed to a tense atmosphere for these parties, which have traditionally aligned feminism at the core of their political agendas.
In her address to the crowd, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz emphasized the essential nature of feminism, stating, "El mundo será feminista o no será," and affirmed that the movement would not take a step back.
Mónica García, the Minister of Health and leader of Más Madrid, refrained from commenting on the allegations against Errejón, asserting the unstoppable nature of feminism.
Responding to inquiries about Monedero, former Minister of Equality Irene Montero defended her party’s proactive measures against misconduct.
She highlighted the ongoing problems of impunity and silence surrounding sexual violence in positions of power, advocating for collective responsibility in addressing such issues.
Additionally, the PSOE faced scrutiny amidst the backdrop of former high-ranking official José Luis Ábalos' involvement in a controversy linked to alleged encounters with sex workers.
The PSOE’s stance on abolishing all forms of prostitution may face scrutiny given these allegations.
Ana Redondo, the Minister of Equality, who participated in both marches in Madrid, called for unity among feminists, stating that common goals must prevail over divisions.
She urged for women's voices to rise above misinformation and rhetoric challenging their rights.
In contrast, the People's Party (PP) criticized the left parties for hypocrisy regarding recent controversies.
Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo acknowledged the significance of March 8 while avoiding contentious remarks.
The PP disseminated a video depicting leftist leaders in a negative light, which drew criticism from the ruling coalition.
Redondo articulated that such actions demonstrate the PP's opposition to advancing women's rights.
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