Blanca Ribelles

Blanca Ribelles is a member of the Semana Santa Inclusiva (Inclusive Holy Week) assembly in Sagunt, Spain. She is newsworthy because she and other members of the assembly have been 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) of Sagunt. Recently, the brotherhood held a vote on whether to allow women to join, and the proposal was rejected by a significant margin (267 against, 114 in favor). This decision has sparked debate and controversy, with some members of the brotherhood citing tradition as the reason for their opposition. Ribelles' efforts highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality within traditional religious organizations and the challenges of changing deeply rooted customs.