For the eighth year in a row, almost all the evangelical women's associations in Madrid have spoken out against violence to women, on the International day for the violence against women.

Since 2016, the organisations that bring together evangelical women in the region of Madrid have been calling for "men and women" to gather in a rally in the centre of Madrid, hosted by the Council for Women's Affairs of the Evangelical Council of Madrid (CEM).

In the centre of Madrid

A first event was held on 25 November in the centre of Madrid, attended by representatives of the various organising bodies and evangelical men and women who were joined by hundreds of people in that crowded shopping area.

Throughout the event, a large number of people gathered for a shorter or longer period of time to listen to the message denouncing violence against women in its various forms (physical, psychological, human trafficking and prostitution) as well as the message of freedom and healing in Jesus, and the offer of support from the evangelical churches to those who are looking for a way out.

Hope in Jesus

The event began with a presentation by Ester Burgués, the CEM women's counsellor, followed by a rap by the rapper Pablo García Yimber,who sang Woman, you are worth much more.

Asun Quintana, president of the Seneca Falls platform and of the Women and Society Working Group of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, made a paraphrase of the gospel scene of Jesus with the Pharisees and the adulterous woman, applying it to the current reality of violence against women.

This was followed by a powerful performance by Impact Kerygma (YWAM youth directed by Indira Sanchez) depicting emotional dependencies, toxic relationships and their bondage, until the cross of Jesus appears in their lives.

Afterwards, several women from the evangelical entities held 42 candles representing the number of women murdered in Spain this year, for whom a one minute silence was observed.

The event ended with the reading of a manifesto against violence against women and a prayer.

An event for reflection

A second event was held on 27 November in a church in Madrid.

The main political parties present in the Assembly of Madrid were invited, but the representatives of the PP and PSOE, excused their attendance. The spokesperson for Vox in the Madrid Assembly, Isabel Pérez Moñino, and the head of the Women's Commission, María Belén González Moreno, attended.

Both explained Vox's position against all violence, including violence against women, and "against the caricatures they make of us", they expressed their fight for women, motherhood, and their opposition to gender ideology, which "fundamentally discriminates against women".