Evangelical Christians in Spain speak out against female violence
In Madrid, for the eighth year in a row, evangelical women's associations have raised their voices against violence towards women. This year's rallies, held on the 25th and 27th of November, aimed to denounce various forms of violence, including physical, psychological, human trafficking, and prostitution.
The events were hosted by the Council for Women's Affairs of the Evangelical Council of Madrid (CEM). The first event took place in the centre of Madrid, while the second event was held in a church in Madrid. Ester Burguez, the CEM women's counsellor, gave a presentation at both events.
However, the main political parties in the Assembly of Madrid, the PP and the PSOE, did not send their representatives to either event. In contrast, the far-right party Vox was represented at both events. Isabel Pérez Moñino, the spokesperson for Vox in the Madrid Assembly, and María Belén González Moreno, the head of Vox's Women's Commission, attended the events. Vox expressed their position against all violence, including violence against women, and against the caricatures they perceive.
At the second event on the 27th of November, Vox emphasized their fight for women, motherhood, and their opposition to gender ideology, which they believe fundamentally discriminates against women. Isabel Pérez Moñino spoke about their stance on gender ideology, while María Belén González Moreno was present at the event.
Impact Kerygma (YWAM youth directed by Indira Sanchez) performed a depiction of emotional dependencies, toxic relationships, and their bondage at the second event. Asun Quintana, president of the Seneca Falls platform and the Women and Society Working Group of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, made a paraphrase of a gospel scene at the event.
The events also offered support from the evangelical churches to those looking for a way out. Pablo García Yimber, a rapper, performed a song titled "Woman, you are worth much more" at the second event. Forty-two candles were held at the event, each representing a woman murdered in Spain this year.
While there is limited specific information about the annual rallies by Spanish Evangelical associations, such events typically attract attention from both conservative and progressive parties in Spain. Conservative parties often support evangelical groups' concerns, especially when framed around family values and social morality, and may push for stricter laws or harsher penalties against perpetrators of violence and trafficking. Progressive parties may also respond positively but tend to emphasize broader social policies, including women's rights, victim support services, and gender equality laws.
For detailed historical data and political responses specific to Spanish evangelical associations’ rallies against violence towards women, including trafficking and prostitution, further targeted research into Spanish religious and political news archives, NGO reports, or evangelical organizations’ records is necessary.
- The events organized by the Council for Women's Affairs of the Evangelical Council of Madrid, aimed at denouncing various forms of violence, also highlighted the importance of relationships and lifestyle, particularly addressing emotional dependencies, toxic relationships, and gender ideology.
- Political parties in Spain, such as the conservative parties and progressive parties, often show interest in the annual rallies by Spanish Evangelical associations, as they align with concerns regarding women's rights, family values, and social morality, potentially influencing policies related to women's safety, victim support services, and gender equality laws.
