RedaccionDuring an event held at the Real Casa de Correos, headquarters of the regional government, Díaz Ayuso criticized those who describe Spain as a «macho country» while remaining silent in the face of «unspeakable abuses and crimes in the world». According to the president of Madrid, at least in the Western world, women and men have managed to «change things, live freely and equally before the law and opportunities». «There are always many battles to conquer, but we must be fair in valuing everything achieved,» she emphasized.
«Many of us do not want to be victimized in an eternal childhood that underestimates us condescendingly,» she claimed, also condemning the attempt to «erase genders» and the «Spanish version of the world». «We are not going to give up our greatest wealth, a world of men and women who complement each other, seek each other, and need each other,» she added.
XIV edition Recognitions March 8
In the fourteenth edition of these awards, Díaz Ayuso presented the prizes to Dr. Carmen Gutiérrez, a gynecologist at the public Hospital 12 de Octubre, who has been providing specialized care and treatment to women victims of female genital mutilation since 2019 through her clinic.
She has been a pioneer in offering a multidisciplinary approach to treating the aftermath of this prohibited practice, providing comprehensive care ranging from reconstructive surgery to psychological support, in collaboration with various associations. She has also been involved in training other healthcare professionals to improve the detection and treatment of these cases.
The regional government also highlighted the career of Marta Huerta de Aza for marking a milestone in Spanish football, becoming the first woman to referee a professional men’s football match in Spain. Currently, she referees in the Women’s First Division and the Men’s Second Division.
Mother of 15 children and grandmother of 25 grandchildren
Paloma Carmona received another award this year. Mother of 15 children and grandmother of 25 grandchildren, her family is the largest in the Community of Madrid. The regional government has already begun the regulatory process for the creation of the new title of parents of large families, which will recognize benefits and incentives for parents for life within the regional Administration’s competence framework, even if the youngest child has reached 26 years old.
Díaz Ayuso also presented another award to Hanan Serroukh, who at the age of 15 had to flee her family for refusing an arranged marriage, showing great courage and strength. Her commitment to justice and equality led her to collaborate closely with the security forces in the fight against jihadist terrorism and radical Islamism.
Four decades dedicated to women’s health
On International Women’s Day, the president praised the dedication to women of a healthcare professional in the public health service of Madrid, Santiago Lizarraga, a prominent gynecologist and obstetrician with over four decades dedicated to clinical practice, teaching, and research. He works at the public Hospital Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, where he is the head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics department.
The Community of Madrid also recognized the career of journalist Olga Viza, who started working at Spanish Television in 1978 before completing her journalism studies. Since then, she has worked in different networks and has had the opportunity to cover the most important sporting events, including six Olympic Games, including Barcelona 92, and three World Cups.
This year, the regional government also honored Estefanía Unzu, known as Verdeliss, one of the most popular influencers in Spain. A mother of eight children, she recently completed the World Marathon Challenge, a race that involves running seven marathons in as many days on all continents. She also holds the record for Spain in the 100-kilometer race.
A home for women with intellectual disabilities
Díaz Ayuso presented the eighth award of this year to the Astier Centro San José Foundation in Alcalá de Henares. This organization has been dedicated to providing a dignified, full, and autonomous life for adult women with intellectual disabilities for over 130 years.
