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ISSUE 035
Friday 9th March 2018
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WOMEN across Spain celebrated International Women´s Day yesterday (8th March) with a strike to show the “world stops” when they abandoned roles in the workplace and home. Transport was immediately affected by the industrial action aimed at highlighting the wage gap between the sexes – as well as demanding an end to all discrimination and the country´s so-called macho culture. And women´s groups also demanded greater action in the battle against domestic and gender-based violence. Across the country 99 women were killed by their partners last year. More than 300 trains were cancelled as workers went on strike to support the demand for women´s rights. The Transport Ministry announced some 200 intercity trains
by Jack Troughton
from 568 did not operate and the action meant 105 long-distance trains were cancelled. The metro service in Madrid was affected, flights were delayed or cancelled and in Barcelona road blocks brought traffic chaos. Town halls, schools, colleges, universities, and government buildings closed because of the strike – some parents annoyed they were only informed hours before the action started with little time to arrange childcare. A year ago there were demonstrations staged in 49 cities across Spain and symbolic strikes in certain areas but 2018 was the first time a nationwide action was taken,
backed by unions and men backing equality. The 8M Commission, an umbrella group of feminist organisations, made its manifesto cry: “Together today we will stop the world and cry: Enough!” High profile figures such as Manuela Carmena and Ada Colau, respectively the mayors of Madrid and Barcelona, joined the ´Feminist Strike´. Ms Colau explaining it was time for women to demand an end to male violence, discrimination and the salary gap. “In a 21st century democracy this is not admissible.” Spanish film star Penelope Cruz was reported to have cancelled all the events in her diary and also planned a “domestic strike”, leaving partner Javier Bardem in charge of their two children. Continued on page 3