Institutional declaration on 8 March, International Women’s Day

On 8 March, International Women’s Day, we come together to assert, more than ever, the strength of the feminist movement as a driver of change and social transformation. We celebrate the progress made and recognise the struggles overcome, but we also give visibility to the persistent difficulties in the search for real equality and warn of the danger of setbacks in the face of a reactionary wave that is already upon us.

Feminism, as a movement of all women and based on diversity, has been a beacon of hope, creating spaces for reflection and action in our towns and cities, where more and more people recognise themselves as part of a great movement that fights to build more just, equal and inclusive societies.

This transformative force has empowered women, broken down barriers and established new horizons for freedom and equality. Regulatory developments and organised demonstrations have been fundamental in building a world where women’s voices are being heard with increasing power.

Thanks to the feminist movement, significant progress has been made in sexual and reproductive rights and labour rights. And care work has also been placed at the centre of the political and social agenda. However, there are still many global challenges to be faced, such as the wage gap, the vulnerability and feminisation of poverty, the lack of real co- responsibility of men in reproductive and care tasks, the low representation of women on boards of directors, the double discrimination of racialized women and gender-based violence.

Despite persistent difficulties, we have managed to earn positions of economic, political and cultural power. The increase of women in leadership positions in institutions, companies and organisations, as well as the passing of laws for equal pay, are signs that this transformative force continues to break glass ceilings and eradicate sticky floors.

The intersectional feminist approach has become a key tool on the road to progress in the achievement of collective social rights, in the development of public policies that guarantee the rights of all citizens and in building a more equal, just and democratic society.

And we cannot forget that in the last decade we have witnessed demonstrations against gender-based violence that have been a firm and united cry against patriarchal values, which highlight the sexual and structural abuse present in all areas of our lives.

But despite this progress, we still have many obstacles, challenges and resistance to overcome in order to achieve real equality.

We cannot ignore that extremist and reactionary positions have arisen that, from a point of view of anti-feminism, want to dismantle the conquests that have cost us so much. Neo- masculinity, a kind of masculinity that allies itself with fascist and ultra-conservative right- wing views and that disguises itself in new strategies that use social networks to generate hatred and division, constitutes a growing threat to women’s rights and our freedom. This new masculinity has a particularly harmful impact on young people, who need spaces of feminist empowerment and resistance more than ever. In fact, according to the results of the second 2024 Sociopolitical Survey by the Register of Opinion Studies (CEO), more than half of men aged 16-24 strongly or somewhat agree that the feminist movement has gone too far.

Throughout the world, especially in conservative contexts, feminism has faced a harsh attack. All developments in women’s rights are threatened by restrictive laws and speeches that question the rights gained.

In many corners of the world, war and armed conflict continue to be the most gruelling face of inequality and violence. Palestinian, Afghan, Syrian, Ukrainian and other conflict-affected women suffer not only the destruction of their lands and communities, but also a double oppression: war violence combined with patriarchal oppression. To them, to their silenced voices, to their struggles for survival and their rights, we give our support and express our solidarity.

Today, we have many reasons to call upon all administrations to continue working towards gender equity: the Government of the Generalitat, provincial councils, county councils and all city councils. We know that our communities are the closest spaces of transformation and from where we can build creative, efficient and social strategies to confront this reactionary counterattack. Let’s continue to make progress on the road to equality, with a firm commitment to creating institutional, social and political feminist frameworks throughout the country that protect the rights of all women and girls.

It is essential to weave alliances between feminist and women’s groups, environmental groups, anti-racist groups and other progressive organisations to strengthen the power of our common struggles. These alliances must be accompanied by transformative public policies and proposals. We must join forces in our struggle, because equality is not only a right, but also a tool for social change for the whole of society.

We will move forward, not only for the past that has made us strong, but for the future we want to build together. A future in which gender equity is a reality.

For a feminist future. For a freer and more egalitarian society.

Feminists today, feminists always.