Spain

Protesters took to the streets in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, and Bilbao, reflecting how the fight to stop violence against woman has become a national cause in Spain.

“We are here for all those women who have been murdered, in Madrid and in Spain. We are taking it very personally,” said Rosa Orea at the Madrid rally.

Since 2003, 972 women have been killed by their partners or ex-partners in Spain, 44 of those so far in 2018, according to government figures.

“The situation has changed for our generation, but we have to keep fighting, because this (violence) happens more than it seems,” said Sofia Serrano a Madrid student.

» moreSince 2003, 972 woman have been killed by their partners or ex-partners in Spain, 44 of those so far in 2018, according to government figures (AFP)

Violence against women has been a key political cause in Spain since 2004 when new laws were introduced against the crime.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday reinterated his government’s “commitment” to eradicate violence against women and “culture” of sexism.

Credit: Pulse News

The Spanish Government has appointed a Minister of Sex in order to boost the nation’s declining population.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy confirmed Edelmira Barreira as the country’s top sex official.

With this move, the government hopes to boost Spain’s falling birth rate, which is one of the lowest in the developed world.

Spain in recent years has recorded declining birth rates which, according to reports, places it among developing countries with the lowest index.

Last year, for the first time, Spain’s deaths outnumbered its births. According to experts, they claim the reasons for the decline in births are: working long hours, eating late at night, and going to bed after midnight. In addition, youth unemployment rose to 48% in 2015, second only to Greece in Europe.

Spain’s education ministry said the declining birth-rate “aggravates other economic imbalances and generates important impacts in the Welfare State,” according to the Spanish newspaper ABC.

Barreira will be tasked with creating a national strategy to rectify the situation.

Source: TheSun

THOUSANDS MARCH ACROSS SPAIN TO PROTEST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

SPAIN APPOINTS A MINISTER OF SEX WHOSE PRIMARY DUTY IS TO HELP BATTLE THE DECLINE IN POPULATION