Spanish government refers veto of women in one Holy Week procession in Valencia for possible prosecution

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Gender equality: following the Sagunto brotherhood's ban on female membership, the Minister for Equality announced referral of this case to the public prosecutor's office after meeting in Valencia with groups advocating for the inclusion of women

Laura Garcés

Valencia

Friday, 27 March 2026, 14:32

The case of women being banned from participating in the Holy Week procession organised by the brotherhood 'of the most pure blood' of Sagunto will now end up in court.

The announcement came from the Minister for Equality on Thursday in Valencia, following Minister Ana Redondo's meeting with groups calling for gender equality in such events and associations. Central government will now refer the case to the public prosecutor's office.

It's worth remembering that, a few days ago, the Minister had already raised the possibility of appealing the statutes of the brotherhood in the register of religious associations on the grounds of breaching the Spanish constitution.

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