In Spain, debates have reignited over the role of women in traditional festivals. After the much-discussed failure of anti-harassment bracelets, which were supposed to protect victims of violence, the Socialists have put forward a new initiative: they are demanding decisive government action against any form of sexism at public celebrations.
A document has already been submitted to parliament in which the party calls for a special action plan. Its goal is to completely eliminate gender discrimination at fiestas, where outdated traditions excluding women still persist. The Socialists believe such customs reinforce gender stereotypes and hinder progress toward equality.
Particular attention has focused on the situation in the town of Cervera del Río Alhama in La Rioja. Last year, local residents there voted to keep the ‘La Gaita’ dance (La Gaita) exclusively male. This sparked a wave of outrage and the emergence of the ‘Gaita Mixta’ movement, which campaigns for inclusive celebrations and equal rights for all participants.
However, there are examples in the country where traditions are changing. In Donostia (San Sebastián) and the cities of Irún and Hondarribia, women have managed to gain participation in events that were once closed to them. Still, the Socialists insist these cases are not enough to declare victory over sexism.
In addition, the party is proposing specific measures to protect women from Spain’s Roma community. These include preventing early marriages and launching a national support program covering education, healthcare, and housing. There is also discussion of creating a special media code to eliminate negative stereotypes about Roma women.
The scandal over electronic bracelets, which were supposed to monitor potential threats to victims of violence, became a catalyst for change. After it was revealed that the devices failed to work and the Ministry of Equality did not report it in time, heated debates erupted in parliament. Minister Ana Redondo (Ana Redondo) came under heavy criticism, but the Socialists continue to support her in office. Despite an internal investigation and warnings from judicial authorities, the government has been slow to make personnel decisions. Furthermore, last year the ministry failed to use a significant portion of its allocated budget, raising new questions about the effectiveness of the agency’s work.
