Redondo highlights the equality model that «fights against inequalities and discriminations» in the face of the «reactionary wave»
The 88% of childcare leave requests are made by women, according to the report ‘More rights, more feminism, more democracy: a year of progress in equality’, presented by the Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo, at a press conference following the Council of Ministers.
In this regard, Redondo stated that the report demonstrates the «strength» of the equality model that «fights against inequalities and discriminations» against «the model that this reactionary wave is trying to impose, which is gaining strength and spreading almost worldwide.»
The minister also mentioned that the government is working on the reissue of the Corresponsables Plan, which in 2024 allocated 190 million euros to the autonomous communities to reduce the care gap. The report reveals that 88% of childcare leave requests are made by women. It also adds that 73.5% of part-time employed individuals are women, with caregiving being the main reason. Since 2021, a total of 760 million euros have been allocated to over 2,000 projects aimed at reconciliation and care.
The report also highlights the 61% increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Salary since 2018, with 60% of beneficiaries being women. Additionally, average pensions for women have increased by 45%, 10 points more than those of men. Moreover, 2024 has been a historic year for employment in Spain, with the lowest unemployment rate since 2008, over ten million employed women, and a reduction of 6.8 points in the wage gap.
A 30% decrease in misogynistic murders
The Equality study also shows the evolution in terms of misogynistic violence and gender gaps. It reflects a more than 30% decrease in murders due to gender violence between 2003 and 2024, with 2024 being the year with the lowest number of murdered women on record.
Regarding gender violence, efforts have been made to renew the State Pact, which will introduce 461 measures to address new realities such as vicarious violence, economic violence, and digital violence. Since its approval in 2017, over 780 million euros have been invested in the Pact. Last year, 140 million were distributed among the Autonomous Communities and local entities for the development of the Pact.
Throughout the past year, the government has developed a national Protocol for the recognition of victims and the condemnation of perpetrators, as well as launched Viogen2, where the risk level «not appreciated» has been removed, and the algorithms determining risk levels have been improved.
Regarding sexual violence, measures outlined in the Organic Law for comprehensive protection of sexual freedom have been implemented, such as the opening of 54 crisis centers and the regulation of financial aid for victims of sexual violence, as stated in article 41 of the law, ensuring victims’ financial autonomy and aiding in their recovery.
Additionally, free legal assistance has recently been approved for victims of sexual violence, and the competencies in matters of sexual violence have been assumed by the Courts of Violence against Women.
Furthermore, there has been an emphasis on increasing the number of «Violet Points,» for instance, in government delegations and sub-delegations or in Social Security offices, as well as in Paradores de España, thanks to an agreement to have this tool in their 97 hotel establishments. Last year, 19.8 million were distributed to the Autonomous Communities to finance regional programs and plans for victims of gender violence and sexual violence.
Finally, Redondo emphasized that Spain «leads equality policies and also aims to lead a Global Alliance against authoritarianism, denialism, and violence.» The minister assured that this will be one of the issues Spain will bring to the upcoming CSW in New York.
FUENTE
