Given recent international events, the possibility of a setback on the path to women's equality seems increasingly likely. The truth is that the upward curve is not always constant, but sometimes has setbacks. But I am optimistic and think that this will not happen and that we are facing a process that is, for now, unstoppable.
I am more concerned about the risks of neglecting care. Traditionally, women have always been responsible for the well-being of their environment, the care of children and elderly parents. As far as children are concerned, there has certainly been a significant generational change, and although the involvement of fathers in the care of young children is still not always equal, it is now considerable.
But this is not the case in the care of the elderly and in the care of the most vulnerable people, who are increasingly numerous in our country. All indicators point to a gender bias and a greater involvement of women in care functions. Thus, the well-being of an ageing society will once again be the responsibility of women.
There is one curious fact that confirms some of these theories. Of the people who come to our institution to file a complaint, the reason for doing so is illustrative. In the distribution of complaints that arrive each year, almost 50% are related to social policies (health, childhood, social services, housing, pensions, etc.). This means that these are the issues that most concern our society today. 65% of these complaints are filed by women, compared to 35% by men. On the other hand, when the complaints refer to taxes, territorial policies or urban planning, for example, the figures are exactly the opposite.
At the other extreme, among young people, the necessary changes have not been achieved in the study of university courses. Women continue to prefer studies related to care, such as education and health sciences, while men mostly enroll in courses such as engineering, mathematics and computer science. The most significant figure would be that of women in early childhood education studies, which are 97%, and men in computer science, which are 86%. However, in nursing, social work and social education the percentage of women normally exceeds 80%.
I have already written this once and not everyone liked it: the issue is not to motivate women to study technical careers – although they are also there – but to motivate men to study caring professions. But this will probably require a significant cultural change and can only be achieved with competitive salaries, which unfortunately is not only not the case, but is often the lowest salaries.
Today, like every March 8th, is the birthday of my maid Carlota, who was born in 2010, coinciding with a monumental snowfall in Barcelona. Since then I don't remember a snowfall like it, perhaps because of climate change... Today is 15 years ago, and in the old days we sang "from girl to woman".
The celebration of 15 years of age has its origins in Mexico, a country that Carlota knows is very close to me. I have seen Mexican girls celebrate their 15th birthdays many times in rituals and parties that are still very impressive. In a past that seems distant to us today but is not so distant, the aim was to marry the young woman and prepare her for that role. Today, fortunately, she will not have to live through anything like that, but there are still many places where girls do not have any recognised rights and are victims of brutal violence. Carlota's courage, will and also her stubbornness, like that of many girls like her, are the best sign of hope and that times have really changed and that there is no turning back.
