(en) Spain, Confederaci?n General del Trabajo - CGT on 8 March 2013. International Women's Day: Freedom, Equality and Sisterhood (ca)

For years now, the Confederaci?n General del Trabajo (CGT), together with the feminist 
movements, has been continuing its efforts in this country for recognition of equal rights 
between women and men. Despite these efforts, which continue those undertaken by our 
grandmothers, mothers, friends - women's rights as citizens, workers and people continue 
to be violated to this day. ---- Women earn less than men in the business world. The wage 
gap is greater when measured by performance (41.3%) than average hourly earnings (19.3%). 
---- The female unemployment rate is higher than that of males and in these times of 
crisis is increasing at a higher rate, even though the rate of women who complete higher 
education in Spain is higher than that of men. ---- Neither are the proportions of women 
and men in the Spanish population reflected in their representation in senior business 
positions, be they public or private - the positions of greater responsibility and 
remuneration are still predominantly occupied by men.

Moreover, legislative changes regarding legal expenses, cuts in social benefits and 
services, social inclusion policies, etc., all this only serves to exacerbate social 
inequalities, which in the case of women are added to the factor of sex discrimination.
Thus, we find that instead of moving towards a liberating society that respects 
individuals without any discrimination and which as a minimum abides by the standards it 
allegedly sets itself, we are moving towards a darker reality that subjects and enslaves, 
one that is highly discriminatory and imposes the most savage capitalist patriarchy.

Perhaps it's time for women to start working toward a new feminist culture, taking another 
step towards the union of goals to combat patriarchy not only with words but with actions 
that strengthen a movement of solidarity between women. To do this we have a concept: 
Sisterhood, an instrument that has a strong ethical, political and practical dimension in 
today's feminism, and one that serves to build political and existential alliances.

The alliance of committed women is as important as the fight against other acts of 
oppression such as patriarchy. It's about creating spaces where women can outline new 
possibilities for life.

The CGT works so that the world in which we live includes women by means of a 
gender-neutral language, recognizes them, is respectful, supportive, liberating and no 
longer cuts them out. The women and men of the CGT unite to continue fighting for their 
rights and those of any person who is discriminated against.

As we have been saying for a long time, the revolution will be feminist or it will not be.
Permanent Secretariat of the Confederal Committee of the CGT

Translation by FdCA - International Relations Office.

Related Link: http://www.cgt.org.es