Women in permanent rebellion against the patriarchal system

During the first half of the 20th century, many of Europe's small, rural communities were governed by strict rules which shaped everyday life, above all that of women. Within this context, local churches dictated what was socially and morally acceptable, as in the case of the Reformed Swiss Church in the Swiss cantons. Its Zwinglian and Calvinist heritage favoured a form of social organisation which stripped women of their freedom, subjecting them to moral and political principles laid down by men Their sexual conduct, clothing and customs were scrutinised, reinforcing mandates such as marriage and enforced maternity, and controlling their reproductive rights.

Nonetheless, these women and many others never ceased rebelling and proclaiming their right to decide. Neither then nor now. The struggle for the right to abortion has historically achieved major advances in the legal systems of different countries around the world. The most recent in 2024, when France decided to establish the right to abortion as a freedom guaranteed by its Constitution.

Meanwhile, in 2022, the Supreme Court of the USA ruled that this right would no longer be protected by the federal Constitution. Argentina, Chile and Russia are also seeing significant regression, reducing access to sexual and reproductive health services. In other countries such as Poland, Morocco and Andorra, abortion is permitted only in very limited circumstances, with prison sentences being imposed on women and those who assist them.

Just a few weeks ago in Spain, the Government announced its intention to follow the French example and enshrine the right to abortion in the Constitution.