Denia celebrates Women's Day
EVEN though the usual street march is off for International Women's Day, towns along the Costa are not ready to let it go by unnoticed.
Denia says it 'will no longer stay silent' in the face of inequality that still exists even in the western world, and to a much greater extent in developing countries.
“Inequalities that have been accentuated during the pandemic are wiping out years of progress and women's independence,” says public safety councillor Javier Scotto.
“Examples include women taking on the lion's share of domestic chores and care duties, meaning females worldwide are more exposed than ever to poverty and are likely to have less of a voice in decisions taken post-pandemic.
“A health crisis like this should not lead to an inequality pandemic, and we're not going to stay silent any longer, we're going to combat it.”
The slogan about 'silence' says exactly that – Ja No Callem – and comes accompanied by a design by the 'Banksy of the Marina Alta', Tardor Roselló Casado, whose works include the 'welcome' mural at the entrance to La Xara.
This year's activities for International Women's Day (March 8) in Denia include a 'virtual' commemoration of the first female councillors after the Transition (always with a capital 'T', as it was such a huge moment in Spain's history) to democracy after 37 years of General Franco's fascist dictatorship.
Four of these women, who were councillors between 1979 and 1983, have been interviewed for the occasion. Full footage of these pioneers' personal testimonials – María Ángeles Colomer, Concha Noguera, Paulina Silvestre and Tere Villó – will be released on Monday.
Until March 10 inclusive, a TikTok competition, #Dénia
PorLaIgualdad (Denia for equality) gives residents in Denia, La Xara and Jesús Pobre the chance to reflect, via the video platform, on equal opportunities for men and women, and is especially aimed at young people; enrolment forms can be found at https://n9.cl/9gnkc, prizes to second place of €200 and €100 will be given on March 16, and the winner will be able to enter a national 'championship final' which has a first prize of €500.
Local police have planned a video documentary for Monday, with female members of the force as stars of the show, to be released on their and the town hall's websites.
Two 'offline' activities will still take place, though. Basque film director Icíar Bollaín's La Boda de Rosa ('Rosa's wedding') will be shown at Denia social centre on Sunday, March 7, from 19.00, with a talk and debate; tickets cost €3 a head. And on Monday, women are invited to form a socially-distanced human chain from 19.00 along the main Marqués de Campo street; to ensure they remain at least two metres apart, ladies should confirm their presence by phoning 679 061 024, 616 100 961, 679 969 173, 639 099 243, or 639 054 137.