The feminists will once again march divided, for the second consecutive year, on International Women's Day, due to their differences on issues such as the 'only yes is yes' law, the trans law or prostitution.
Madrid is the city that sets the pulse of this division in which two demonstrations have been called with different routes, but with the same starting point: the Atocha station. Other large cities such as Bilbao, Seville or Valencia will also be marked by two feminist blocks. In Barcelona, on the other hand, several abolitionist platforms will march in the unitary concentration in the afternoon, since "all women are not so aware of what is happening", so it is important that "feminists" be present at the concentration ".
But what are the reasons for such divisions? A fragmentation that is closely linked to that maintained by the coalition government of the PSOE and Unidas Podemos on account of the 'only yes is yes' law and the trans law.
The representatives of the Madrid Feminist Movement have been highly critical of the trans law and have announced initiatives seeking its repeal. In addition, during the 8-M they will demand the resignation of the Minister of Equality, Irene Montero, promoter of this text. On the contrary, the 8M Commission has among its claims to put an end to hate speech against this group and has claimed to be the demonstration that is "a safe space for everyone."
At the same time, a hundred women of women have participated in a rally called by abolitionist feminists in Barcelona, contrary to the trans law, as well as prostitution, pornography and surrogacy to denounce what they consider "the biggest setback" of their rights since Francoism".
The concentrates have read a unitary manifesto where they have attributed the regression of rights and "erasure" of women: "Governments that follow the dictates of the international alliance between neoliberal capitalism and patriarchal violence in all its forms, from the moment that UN Women itself declares war on us and redefines us, to include men, reducing being a woman to a feeling based on sexist stereotypes and denying who we are", they have stated.
The concentrates have defined the trans law as "the greatest infamy against women and children", with which they have assured: "They want to make us disappear by law and pursue our discrepancy and our right to defend ourselves by law."
Prostitution and its abolition is one of the main differences between these organizations. While the Feminist Movement of Madrid focuses its proposals on this measure and even announces its march as the "abolitionist demonstration", this issue does not appear in the manifesto of the 8M Commission.
Regarding prostitution, those concentrated in Barcelona have criticized that, despite having a government "that calls itself feminist", there still does not exist "an abolitionist law of the prostitution system", a norm that persecutes "pimps and multi-whores and that rescues and protect women in a situation of prostitution".
"We will continue fighting with the surviving compañeras, against this criminal business that turns all women and girls into consumable bodies without humanity. Without the abolition of prostitution there can be no equality between women and men," they stressed.
In the manifesto, they have also criticized the 'only yes is yes' law approved by the Government, considering that refusing to review it implies a "contempt for the victims and all women, after 2022 with 99 murdered, and 17 in what we have from 2023".
Criticism of Montero also comes from the Feminist Movement of Madrid for his legislative "botches" -for which they also call for the disapproval of the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez- among which they include the law on sexual freedom and, consequently, the trickle in reductions in sentences and the release of 74 prisoners.
"The government instrumentalization of the women's associative movement to silence the voices of those of us who demand responsibility for those who have caused a massive reduction in sentences for sexual offenders is not tolerable," stressed the representative of the Madrid Feminist Movement, Lola Venegas.
On the contrary, the 8M Commission does not name the 'only yes is yes' law in its manifesto, although at a press conference they did state their agreement with the position currently maintained by the Minister of Equality on "not taking a step back" so that "consent and desire are at the center.
In addition, this entity will call in its 8-M march a "feminist justice" that "does not blame the victim." "We will continue shouting 'Sister, I do believe you'", explained another of the spokespersons for this organization, Arantxa López.
But despite the fact that these issues separate both organizations, there are coincidences in their manifestos. On both sides there is the same concern about gender violence, the increase in murders and the fact that in the last year it has become clear that many of the fatalities had reported or had a protection order in force. Both entities ask in this 8-M a real protection for women.
They also coincide in calling for Universal Public Health, emphasizing that this sector is important for the early detection of cases of violence against women.
