Over 30 organizations to take the streets of Barcelona on International Women's Day

Under the initiative '8th of March Assembly' (Assemblea8M' in Catalan), more than 30 organizations have joined forces to take to the streets of Barcelona on International Women's Day under the slogan 'Against colonial and fascist imperialism: a transfeminist struggle.'

The assembly is not new to organizing marches on the annual day under different slogans. Last year, over 25 000 people marched under the slogan 'Care sustains life,' highlighting the daily struggles women in Catalonia face in care work and domestic labour.

At the press conference presenting this year's theme, feminist organisers highlighted global struggles in places such as Palestine, Ukraine, Venezuela and Iran, describing them as contexts where women's rights, peace and justice are under threat within broader struggles against imperialism and colonialism.

According to Aida Sánchez de Serdio, from the feminist cultural centre 'La Bonne,' the theme emerged from the shared anti-war stance of the organizations behind the assembly.

"Most of the time it is women who suffer from these conflicts," Sánchez de Serdio said in an interview with Catalan News. 

"Our rights, here and in many countries, are taking a step back. We have achieved things, but we still have a long way to go. Right now there is one important thing: the war. We will have Ukrainian women at the demonstration who have been suffering through a war for four years," Merche Alvira from the organization 'Ca La Dona' said at the press-conference. 

The US intervention in Iran

In light of the current conflict in Iran, Catalan News asked Sánchez de Serdio to elaborate on the consequences of foreign intervention for women, who have suffered severely under the Islamic dictatorship and are classified as "second-class citizens" by organizations such as Human Rights Watch.

Sánchez de Serdio emphasizes that improving women's conditions is not the stated objective of the US intervention.

"We have heard people from Iran say that 'anything is better than what we have now,' which we understand, and we do not wish to speak on their behalf. However, we remain skeptical about the potential outcomes of such interventions for women, because it is not certain that the regime will ultimately change, which could leave women in the same situation as before."

Housing crisis among main challenges facing women in Catalonia

In regards to the main challenges currently facing women in Catalonia, Sánchez de Serdio pointed to migrant regularization and the housing crisis.

Regarding the plans to regularize an estimated 500,000 people in Spain, she welcomed the initiative but expressed concern about how it will be implemented, hoping it will actually improve the situation of migrant women.

She added that the position of the entire assembly is that "no person is illegal."

Sánchez de Serdio also expressed concern about the effects of the housing crisis on women in Catalonia.

"We have a huge problem in Barcelona with unaffordable housing, forcing people to share rooms in very precarious conditions, and some even have to share beds. The problem of homelessness is also growing."

An inclusive march 

The assembly emphasized that everyone is welcome to join the demonstration, regardless of gender, race, or sexuality.

Despite the rain forecast, a large turnout for Sunday's march is expected, which will begin at Jardinets de Gràcia at 11:30 am before heading down Passeig de Gràcia and ending at Arc de Triomf.

Other events 

Other events taking place in the Catalan capital in light of International Women's Day include:

• A free concert at the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA) at 6pm, with limited capacity.
   
• A free feminist stand-up show at the Bonnemaison Library at 7pm, free of charge with prior reservation.
   
• Free entrance for women throughout the day at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).
   
• Free entrance for everyone from 7:30pm to the Sant Agustí Convent, where several concerts will take place during the evening to celebrate women.