Semana Santa de Sagunto

The Semana Santa de Sagunto, a Holy Week celebration in Sagunto, Spain, is facing significant controversy due to the Cofradía de la Purísima Sangre de Jesucristo's continued refusal to allow women to participate in its processions. This cofradía, one of the oldest religious entities in the town with origins dating back to 1492, recently held a vote where a majority (267 against, 114 in favor) upheld the ban for the third time in its history. This decision has sparked national outrage, with the Spanish government initiating proceedings to revoke the Semana Santa de Sagunto's designation as a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest. The government, led by the Ministry of Equality, views the cofradía's stance as discriminatory and anachronistic. The clavario of the Semana Santa, Gonzalo Escrig, declined to comment on the ban. The situation highlights the tension between tradition and gender equality in modern Spanish society, raising questions about the validity of discriminatory practices rooted in historical customs.