International Women's Day in Barcelona

Wednesday 8th of March 2023 is international women’s day. So, what is Barcelona doing for the occasion?

Strikes for International Women’s Day

On the 8th of March, thousands of people took to the streets to protest for equality in honour for International Women’s Day. In the midst of the many signs handmade by the protesters, 'Women move the world, now we'll stop it!' could be largely heard. With 40 000 attendees, the protest was the biggest in the country and took place between Plaça Universitat and Arc de Triomf.

City of Women

In commemoration of the wonderful women who have left their mark on the city, all the stations on Barcelona’s metro network and FGC urban stops have symbolically adopted names of women (past and present) whose contributions have been of significant value. The women chosen are amongst writers, activists, teachers, politicians, singers, actresses, journalists, chefs, sportswomen, doctors, researchers, and poets as well as women recognised in neighbourhood struggles, role models for feminism and the LBTI+ community,and activists in intercultural and anti-fascist struggles.

Picture provided by the Ayuntamiento de Barcelona

Streets Named After Women

In Barcelona, 8.3% of streets bear women’s names, while 35% are named after men. In the last four years, the number of streets with women’s names has increased by 2.2%, and this number is yet to rise. During the month of March, sixteen streets, squares and gardens will adopt the names of women who have left their mark on the city. The women whose names will be used for the streets are: Felícia Fuster i Viladecans (poet, translator and visual artist), Cristina Fernández Pereira (concierge who suffered Francoist repression and was shot by firing squad), Valerie Powles (teacher, historian and activist), Carme Claramunt i Barot (the first woman to be shot by firing squad under the Francoist regime), Rosa Barba Casanovas (doctor in architecture, landscape artist and professor), Josefina Torrens Illas (swimmer with the CN Barcelona and one of the founders of the Women’s Sports Club), Ramona Fossas i Puig (Guinardó resident recognised for her contribution to teaching), Rosa Galobardes i Alsina (social activist), Luisa Alba Cereceda (social worker, street educator and activist), Francesca Vergés (republican and pro-Catalan activist), Gretel Ammann (philosopher and feminist activist), Lola Iturbe Arizcuren (anarch-trade unionist and feminist), Margarita Brender i Rubira (Catalonia’s first woman architect), Carmen Balcells (represented major writers), Rosalind Franklin (scientist), Lolita Torrentó i Prim (opera singer).

‘Las Karamba’ concert

Las Karamba are an all-women band with members from all over the world (Venezuela, Cuba, Catalonia, Panama and Argentina). They draw inspiration from their multi-cultural roots to blend Latin rhythms and their lyrics are inspired by personal experiences which always offer a women’s vision. The concert is in the Espai Josep Bota at the Fabra i Coats complex on 18 March 2023, at 7.15 pm. Admission is free until the venue reaches its full capacity.