We are on the eve of commemorating International Women's Day, next March 8, and that is why I would like to reflect on how much women have achieved throughout history, but above all, about what still remains to be conquered, which in my opinion is quite a lot.
Before starting, I would like to recognize the struggle of all those women who, on a small or large scale, have fought to conquer the social rights that women have today, from the right to vote to the freedom to manage our finances or train without the need to be supervised.
For this reason, I will not deny that with the passage of time and social conquests we have gained security and freedom, but unfortunately we still have not achieved real equality, that which equates us in every way to men. And there are many news stories that remind us daily that we are in a situation of inequality, either because we earn less salary performing the same job, or because we are hindered when it comes to progressing in the workplace.
There are few, almost counted on the fingers of one hand, the boards of directors of large companies that have women at the helm, or that have some female executives in their ranks. It is true that in recent years the proportion has improved, partly due to regulations and equality plans implemented by public administrations, but it is still insufficient.
The same occurs in local and supramunicipal institutions and governments, where women are a rare bird. Therefore, I feel an enormous pride in having the opportunity to lead the Haría City Council as mayor, despite the fact that there are voices that believe and state that because I am a woman I am a political puppet. To all those who believe it, I am sorry to tell them that since I have been aware, I have made my own decisions, and this time it was not going to be less. So despite those who want to poison, my fellow PMH councilors and I will continue working on the roadmap that we have set to move the municipality forward and improve the well-being of all the residents of Haría.
In this sense, and returning to the subject at hand, from the municipal corporation we have committed and involved ourselves to raise awareness among citizens of the need to achieve real equality between men and women, which facilitates conciliation, and which reduces gender violence. To this end, we have promoted awareness activities in educational centers in the municipality, and also with different groups, because it is important to establish healthy relationships that favor equality.
But this work does not only affect society. It also requires the involvement of public institutions. It is more necessary than ever to promote policies aimed at ending the labor, digital, wage and social gap. An action that goes hand in hand with accurate actions to help eliminate child poverty and that of many women with dependent children.
Preventing and ending gender violence and trafficking in persons is a priority and must be on the agenda of any responsible leader, regardless of the color or the scope of their administration, because it directly violates the rights of women.
In short, this March 8 we have little to celebrate, but we do need to focus once again on the need to achieve effective equality and end the abuses, micro and macro machismo that women suffer. This is the path we will take from the Haría Municipality Platform: always alongside the women of Haría and all of the Canary Islands.
Evelia García Fuentes is a candidate of the Haría Municipality Platform (PMH) and mayor of the Haría City Council