Blanca Ribelles

Blanca Ribelles is a member of the Semana Santa Inclusiva assembly in Sagunto, Valencia, Spain. She is advocating for the inclusion of women in the Cofradía de la Purísima Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo (Brotherhood of the Most Pure Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ), a Catholic brotherhood that organizes events for Holy Week (Semana Santa). Ribelles and her group are newsworthy because the brotherhood recently voted, for the third time in 27 years, to reject the inclusion of women. This decision, made by a vote of 267 to 114, has sparked controversy and debate about tradition versus equality. The brotherhood's decision to maintain its male-only membership, citing tradition dating back to 1492, highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality within religious organizations and traditional practices in Spain.