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Supporting the adoption of the Abolitionist model in Spain: CAP International’s Advocacy Tour in Madrid and Catalonia

 

In the context of a promising move towards the adoption of the Abolitionist model, CAP International meets Spanish parliamentarians and NGOs

Rita María Hernández, Director of Policy and Advocacy of Rescue Freedom and Jonathan Machler, Executive Director of CAP International intervening at the Parliamentarian day organised by PSOE MPs at the Spanish Parliament, Madrid, Spain

As Spain is shaken by an Abolitionist momentum driven by the civil society, the feminist movement and Abolitionist political champions, the International Secretariat of CAP International spent a week in the country within the scope of an advocacy tour organised by the International Abolitionist School.

On 13 October, CAP International participated in a conference called “Hacia la Ley Abolicionista de la Prostitución: Una propuesta desde el activismo global” (Towards Abolitionist Prostitution Law: a proposal from global activism), organised by the Parliamentarian group of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE currently in power) and the International Abolitionist School, in the Parliament in Madrid. CAP International along with prominent Abolitionist champions, such as activist and survivor leader Amelia Tiganus, Spanish MP Carmen Calvo, Executive Director of the International Abolitionist School Graciela Atencio and several political leaders from the PSOE, joined voices to call for the adoption of the Abolitionist model in Spain, the most protective and ambitious model for persons in prostitution and victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Watch the full Conference here

CAP International participates in a seminar on Advocacy and good practices to support victims of prostitution at La Ciba

Rita María Hernández, Director of Policy and Advocacy of Rescue Freedom, Jonathan Machler, Executive Director of CAP International, Héma Sibi, Advocacy Coordinator of CAP International at the Conference in Santa Coloma, Catalonia, Spain. 

On October 14th CAP International intervened at a seminar focused on sharing expertise on Abolitionist advocacy and good practices to support victims of the prostitution system. The conference, organised by the International Abolitionist School, gathered various experts from civil society and took place at La Ciba, an amazing resources centre for women and a space for social economy, solidarity and feminism located in the municipality of Santa Coloma de Gramenet, an openly Abolitionist municipality in Catalonia near Barcelona.

Meeting with Núria Parlon, Mayor of Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Abolitionist champion

Meeting with Núria Parlon, the Mayor of Santa Coloma de Gramenet

CAP International had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Núria Parlon, in order to discuss the feminist and Abolitionist policies she is implementing in her municipality. Ms Parlon is also the coordinator of the “Red de Municipios Libres de Trata” (Municipalities free from trafficking), an initiative gathering several municipalities working together to end the prostitution system and trafficking at a local level.

Participating in an Abolitionist march at La Jonquera

Abolitionist march at La Jonquera, in front of the brothel “Paradise”, Spain.

On October 16th Feminicidio, with other members of the Spanish Abolitionist movement, organised an Abolitionist march at La Jonquera, one of the hotspots for prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation in Europe. The protest, led by the survivor and Abolitionist leader Amelia Tiganus, confronted the pimps and sex buyers exploiting women in the brothel “Paradise” and demanded the immediate adoption of the Abolitionist model in Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledges to adopt the Abolitionist model in Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Photo by Getty Images

Empowered by the Abolitionist momentum fostered by the massive and very dynamic Abolitionist movement in the country, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged to adopt the Abolitionist model in Spain at the occasion of the 40th Congress of the PSOE during the weekend. “Prostitution is one of the cruellest aspects of the feminisation of poverty and one of the worst forms of violence against women” stated Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The Spanish and International Abolitionist Movement will now work on supporting these dynamics in order to achieve this historical change in Spain and adopt an Abolitionist law.

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