Amelia Valcárcel, a feminist of reference in Spain and representative of what is currently understood as classical feminism, has clarified her political position today after speaking yesterday in an act with Alberto Núñez Feijóo where she thanked him for his decision to correct the “only Yes is yes”. “Dear Alberto Feijóo: I continue to thank you for your support for the rectification of the law of only yes. It is the right path. Yesterday I explained the current feminist agenda to you. And I reminded you, with panache, that I am a socialist.” She then reminds him on her Twitter account of the points of the feminist agenda.
Valcárcel’s intervention at the gates of the general elections in the foundation of the PP Reformismo 21 has generated controversy by being interpreted from different sectors as a gesture of support for the popular at a time when this formation is agreeing with Vox. The professor of Moral and Political Philosophy, who was a counselor in Asturias with the socialist government and chairs the Feministas Socialistas platform (Femes) -critical of the policies of Pedro Sánchez and Irene Montero on equality-, addressed Feijóo on Tuesday in the act of PP indicating that he trusts in his ability to “make an effective feminist policy”. She took as a reference the correction that she brought to Congress of the “only yes is yes” law.
The political context after 28-M and before 23-J, and the pacts signed by the PP with the far-right party -anti-feminist and denier of gender violence- have also led to a reaction from classic feminism close to the PSOE, which has qualified some of Valcárcel’s considerations. From this platform, the PP is asked to offer the full content of the video to avoid manipulation. This does not mean that there is a harmony with Pedro Sánchez, but what has been wanted today is to clarify that the PP is not supported. Femes has released a statement stating that “the achievements of women’s rights during democracy have come hand in hand with the Feminist Movement, sponsored by the Socialist Party while it has governed, except in this last legislature in which we have not felt represented”.
Despite this criticism of the Government, it is emphasized that “the PP has never applied feminist policies” and it is specified that during this week “it has left black on white what its policy of pacts will be in the event that it were to govern”. Likewise, and in reference to the “confidence” expressed by Valcárcel, it is emphasized that this socialist platform “does not have any confidence that the PP’s policies in relation to feminism are different from those proposed by Vox”. In a similar vein, former Vice President Carmen Calvo, candidate for Granada, expressed herself.
The policies carried out by the Ministry of Equality, directed by Irene Montero, and which until very recently had the support of Pedro Sánchez have left a deep wound in classical feminism, always located in the environment of the PSOE and promoter for many years of the main equality policies of socialist governments. Without now entering the debate on the trans law, free gender identity and its impact -according to the reading of these feminists- on equality between men and women, there is also a strong weariness for not having been heard or received during these years despite their repeated requests.
A situation that the PP read, when it offered to hold a few days of debate on the trans law after the PSOE avoided that it could be discussed about it -as requested by these socialist feminists- in the presentation that was opened in the Congress of the Deputies. And now they also want to capitalize on 23-J.
Valcárcel, in a particularly delicate electoral context, today underlines his status as a socialist. But what she underlines above all is what the feminist agenda is in her understanding: “limitation of porn and its channels, abolition law, profound reform of the trans law, suspending the registry instruction on surrogate mothers and the purchase of children, outside the queer propaganda of education, affirm sex in the Sports law, law of safe spaces, parity in the spheres of power, complete improvement of the law of Violence”.
