The Department of Equality of the Rafal Town Council has announced the program of events that will take place in the municipality to commemorate March 8, International Women’s Day.
Councilor Laura Velasco stated, “Once again, Rafal will express its pride and pay tribute to all the women of our town through our traditional Women’s Gala. This event is made possible thanks to the invaluable collaboration and performances of the Rafal Women’s Association and the choir of the Arte Musical Society.”
The event will be held on Saturday, March 8, at the Arte Musical Municipal Auditorium, starting at 8:00 PM. “Throughout the evening, attendees will enjoy various artistic performances, including short plays, dances, and monologues, as well as a special performance by the chirigota group Los Marquesitos. The central theme of the event will be gender equality and equal opportunities for men and women,” Velasco explained.
Additionally, this year, the Rafal Women’s Association has decided to dedicate the gala to all women, with a special tribute to María José Salazar. “She has been a fundamental part of this event, contributing with great dedication and affection to its preparation and presentation for many years. We believe this is the perfect moment to give back a little of all that she has given us,” the councillor emphasized. Admission to the event will be free until full capacity is reached.
As part of the commemoration, Trinitario Seva School and IES Rafal will also host an educational activity titled “Breaking Molds: Getting to Know Inspiring Women” on Friday, March 7. According to Amparo Martí, a counsellor at IES Rafal, “We will have the participation of six women who will share their professional experiences and answer questions from students of both schools.”
Martí highlighted that the goal of this initiative is “to showcase the participation of women in professional fields traditionally dominated by men. By presenting real-life examples from our community, we aim to break gender-based stereotypes and demonstrate to students that women can succeed in any career.”
Elena Soler, a counsellor at CEIP, added, “This activity is one of many we conduct throughout the school year to promote co-education, which serves as a protective factor against violence against women.” She also pointed out that such initiatives “help dispel false beliefs about gender, encourage children to act independently and free from stereotypes, and instil values such as empathy and mutual support.”
Finally, the Councilor for Equality invited all Rafal residents to participate in these events, emphasizing that raising awareness about this commemoration “is crucial to giving visibility to the issues and discrimination that women continue to face in society.” Velasco also stressed that “it is the responsibility of public institutions to implement these advocacy initiatives and to promote public policies and programs with a gender perspective that foster equality and women’s empowerment.”
