Last week, the Council of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell signed the renewal of its agreements with two associations of great importance in the field of equality between women and men: Clásicas y Modernas and European Union of Women Marina Alta (EUWMA). Both signings were attended by the mayor, Miguel Ángel García, and the Councillor of Equality, Isa Garrido. The Council is thus continuing to strengthen its commitment to equality.
In both cases, the existing agreements between the Council and the two associations have been extended, and a financial contribution has been added for the development of activities, conferences and cultural events to promote equality and women’s rights.
Representing Clásicas y Modernas para la Igualdad de Mujeres y Hombres en la Cultura, the agreement was signed last Friday by Marina Gilabert, director of the Clásicas y Modernas Libraries for Equality programme; Rosa María Rodríguez Magda, coordinator of Libraries for Equality and former vice-president of Culture and Research at Clásicas y Modernas, and Pepita García, coordinator of Clásicas y Modernas in La Marina Alta. This association has been collaborating with the Council since 2019 through El Poble Nou de Benitatxell’s adherence to the Manifesto for Libraries for Equality.
The purpose of this collaboration is to give greater visibility to women writers, supplementing the Municipal Library’s collection with the goal of filling in the gaps and absences of literary and intellectual works written by women throughout history. They are now incorporating a set of actions for the period 2025-2029 that enrich the original agreement and give greater weight to the gender perspective as a cross-cutting issue in the municipal strategic objectives.
The association brings together professional women from different areas of culture (literature, journalism, music, theatre, cinema, art, etc.) who work for gender equality in culture, both today and to honour and restore the place of female creators of the past. It mainly carries out its activities in Spain, although it also organises cultural events and activities internationally. It collaborates with the Ministry of Culture’s Equality Observatory together with four other women’s associations from different cultural groups.
For its part, the European Union of Women – Mujeres en Igualdad Marina Alta signed this new agreement last Thursday, during the screening of the documentary “Parteras. La voz de nuestras abuelas” (Midwives. The voice of our grandmothers), which was attended by its author, Laura Pertejo. The event was attended by the president of EUWMA, Margaret Hales; the vice-president, Marion Oprel; the secretary, Kathleen Misson, and other members of the group.
EUWMA signed its first agreement with the Council in 2023 at a ceremony marking the commemoration of November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Under the current agreement, it is committed to organise and collaborate with the local administration to improve the social welfare and quality of life of women, with special emphasis on the programmes for March 8th and November 25th.
The European Union of Women was founded in 1953 in Salzburg by Austrian deputy member of parliament Lola Solar with the objective of enabling women to contribute to international debate and stimulate interest in European affairs. Today it has 17 countries as members. Throughout its long history, it has achieved significant milestones, including a prominent presence at government level, obtaining consultative status with the Council of Europe and special status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, among others. Its current international president, Margaret Hales, is a resident of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, hence the association’s involvement with La Marina Alta, where it has headquarters. Hales has held this position for years and is retiring this Friday, October 3rd.
«It is a pleasure to be able to work in our municipality with such committed associations and women. The dedication and work of Clásicas y Modernas and EUWMA are priceless. Thanks to their initiatives, activities, awareness-raising projects and support, they are managing to positively transform El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, breaking down barriers and promoting a more just and equitable coexistence. We will continue working closely with them, as they are fundamental pillars, together with the Women’s Association, in our shared struggle to achieve equality between women and men,» said the Councillor of Equality, Isa Garrido.
