Parliamentary Update on Equality Policies and Future Steps
Appearance requests saved. In November, parliamentary terms ended and, shortly after 8M, the Equality Commission intervened. The scene shifted to purple as March 8 approached, and within this framework, Consell’s vice-president not only defended the measures implemented by the regional government to advance equality but also urged a renewed sense of unity to reissue the Valencia Pact. He suggested a thoughtful re-evaluation amid gender violence challenges and newly emerging concerns.
Mas appeared before the Valencian parliament to report on progress in countering sexist violence and on the 2017 agreement, which now requires an updated implementation. He expressed hope for a final revision before the year ends, with emphasis on addressing the day against sexist violence on November 25. Mas noted that the update would likely extend beyond the current legislative session.
While the equality councilor argues for removing drafting from partisan conflicts, electoral results will inevitably reshape the policy landscape. He stated that the conflict which has driven inequality, suffering, and loss deserves the unity of democratic forces, just as wartime unity once protected rights against threats to life. This reference underscored the need to bind diverse political actors toward common ground on rights-related measures.
In this context, the Vice President called for a re-evaluation and a reopening of the 2017 pact, noting that 85 percent of its provisions were fulfilled or in progress. He outlined ways to confront new challenges that have appeared over the past five years, including the presence of opponents who contest efforts to combat sexist violence. He pointed to a fierce debate with a Vox representative on the commission, highlighting the ongoing disagreement over strategy and priorities.
Looking ahead, Mas acknowledged that the policies already in place were not flawless, but defended the administration’s approach. He described a series of protective actions for victims of gender-based violence, including more than 200 children benefiting from zero to three years of free education bonuses, the processing of over 1,600 Valencia records of female participants receiving income support, and nearly 400 cases of home protection for victims. “They are not mere numbers; they are lives saved,” Mas stated. [Citation: Valencian Parliament]