On Saturday, March 8, 2025, towns and cities across Spain will again resonate with purple as they come together to commemorate International Womens Day. This year, the feminist movement marks its fourth year of protests being divided, exemplified by two distinct demonstrations planned for Madrid alone.
The Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo, is striving to heal the divide within the movement, focusing on commitments to abolish prostitution and advance legislation against human trafficking. This division within feminism arises from long-standing debates around issues such as the Trans Law and prostitution, which came to the forefront during the previous legislative term when the so-called queer agenda began to gain traction, culminating in the concept of gender self-determination.
Adding to this discourse are the repercussions of the new 'only yes is yes' law, which has led to reduced sentences and the release of individuals convicted of sexual crimes, stirring concerns among activists. Redondo's challenge is significant as she attempts to unify the feminist narrative at a time of increasing denial of gender-based violence rhetoric across the globe.
The various marches planned across Spain reflect both urgency and diversity of thought within the feminist movement. Almería, for example, will hold two demonstrations on March 8: the Collectivos Feministas are set to mobilize at 20:00 from the Plaza de las Velas to the Anfiteatro de la Rambla, after their traditional 'Noche de Comadres' parade the night before at 19:30. Meanwhile, the Plataforma de Acción Feminista will initiate their procession at noon from the Escuela Municipal de Música y Artes.
Further along the coast, Huelva's Feminist Movement is inviting participants to converge at 12:00 from the antiguo estadio Colombino to the Plaza de las Monjas, advocating for women’s rights and equity. Meanwhile, Sevilla will see multiple demonstrations, as the Asamblea Feminista Unitaria de Sevilla (AFUS) and the Movimiento Feminista de Sevilla have proposed separate routes with starting times staggered by one hour, aiming to cater to the growing audience passionate about feminist issues.
From Córdoba to Jaén, events continue to unfurl as women will march at 18:00 from the glorieta de la Media Luna to Plaza de Las Tendillas, and from the Subdelegación del Gobierno to the cathedral at 11:00, respectively.
Cádiz Abolicionista is also expected to draw significant attendance, calling for mobilization at noon from the Subdelegación del Gobierno to Plaza de la Merced, whereas the Comisión 8M Cádiz will begin their march at 11:30 from Plaza de Asdrúbal.
Across the region of Andalucía, the protests are marked by both the passion of the participants and, frequently, the weather. Ladies marching under the banner “feminism visible, invisible women” will congregate at 11:00 on Saturday, and many are watching the skies for weather forecasts.
Protests are not limited to the southern parts of Spain, as Zaragoza, Valencia, Galicia, and Catalonia will also witness feminist fervor. For example, the students of Zaragoza have planned to strike and march on March 7, immersing themselves against patriarchal violence. The main protest led by the Feminist Movement will kick off from the Paraninfo of the University of Zaragoza at 18:00.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will have its dual demonstrations, one initiated by the Assemblea 8M at 18:00 from the Plaza de la Universitat, focusing on health care for women, whereas the Coordinadora 8M-Moviment Feminista de Barcelona will also take to the streets at the same hour to address exploitation and violence against women.
Having emerged as the city with two notable protests, Madrids commemoration tends to reflect the broader rifts visible within feminist circles today. The Comisión 8M will commence its route from Atocha station with chants echoing, "Feminist antiracists, to the streets! Our lives depend on it," at noon, paralleling the other demonstration organized by the Movimiento Feminista de Madrid at 18:00, highlighting the struggle against global machismo.
Beyond Spain, the State of Mexico also commemorates this day with fervor, as diverse collectives band together to address pressing issues like gender violence and structural inequality. Their events invite hundreds to march and raise voices against these injustices.
Particularly, Ecatepec has called for participation at 12:00 on March 8, where the collective Mujeres Democracia y Ciudadanía will march from Puente de Fierro to the Palacio Municipal under the slogan “Against the erasure of women and for improved public services.” This signifies how access to basic services and equity remains ever so relevant.
Similarly, Toluca anticipates action at two main meeting points, ensuring the spirit of solidarity resounds with each collective's goal to demand justice and visibility against local issues affecting women. On this day, it becomes evident how international struggles are interlinked, with groups confronting gender-related challenges united under shared goals.
Perhaps most poignantly, the stories swirling around femicide and violence against women mark the undertones of these mobilizations. Specifically, Nezahualcóyotl will rally at the Antimonumenta, culminating with demands directed at local agencies to address femicide, seeking not just remembrance but justice for the countless lives impacted.
Overall, the mobilizations taking place across Spain and Mexico depict how International Women's Day continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for change. Each protest, whether grand or small, symbolizes the unified demand for gender equality, justice, and the right to live free from violence. The narrative is loud and clear: women of all walks of life are rising to invoke their rights on March 8 and beyond.