The Spanish Government has initiated the procedures to declare the feminist demonstrations of 8M as an Intangible Place of Democratic Memory for their «contribution to freedoms», their «transformative power towards fairer and more egalitarian societies» and their «democratic and peaceful nature.»
This was reported by the Official State Gazette (BOE) published on Friday morning, detailing that the General Directorate for the Promotion of Democratic Memory has initiated the procedures to initiate the declaration procedure for the memory place «the feminist demonstrations of March 8.»
As explained in the statement of reasons for this measure, the 8M demonstrations have become «democratic and tribute tides» to women who have led «the fight for equality between women and men», with a special impact since March 8, 1978, when the feminist movement «was conquering rights» such as divorce, decriminalization of abortion, legalization of contraceptives, or sexual freedom and education.
It also recalls the first feminist demands in Spain in the early decades of the 20th century, when women’s groups demanded the abolition of legalized prostitution, women’s right to pursue liberal professions, access to official positions, the right to vote, equal pay, or access to different educational levels.
It highlights figures like Clara Campoamor, Victoria Kent, Emilia Pardo Bazán, Concepción Arenal, or María Lejarraga, who «were the first great figures of feminist currents» that made a series of demands that progressed «significantly» during the years of the Second Republic, when the right to vote, civil marriage, or universal access to education were achieved.
«For their contribution to freedoms, for their transformative power towards fairer and more egalitarian societies, and for their democratic and peaceful nature, ‘The feminist demonstrations of March 8’ deserve the consideration of a Place of Democratic Memory in their category of intangible cultural heritage,» the text states.
The declaration of a Place of Democratic Memory implies «the adequate dissemination and interpretation of what happened in it,» and will allow for the promotion with a «commemorative, tribute, educational, and reparative» purpose with the promotion of audiovisual and digital resources, the installation of plaques, panels, or material emblems, as stated in the BOE.
The Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, led by the socialist Ángel Víctor Torres, will request reports to gather information about the 8M demonstrations from various institutions, such as the Women’s Institute, the Ministry of Equality, the Royal Academy of History, as well as the Gender Institutes of Carlos III University of Madrid and the University of Oviedo.
After this, a 21-day public information period will be opened for any interested person to make allegations. After a maximum period of 12 months from the date of initiation, the procedure will be resolved.
FUENTE