Spain’s Left-wing platform Sumar has proposed to create a new telephone helpline for men in crisis in an effort to counter gender violence and macho behaviour, the party with a candidate in the upcoming general election announced as part of its electoral programme on Thursday.
Sumar, a coalition of 15 progressive parties led by acting Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz (Unidas Podemos, EU Left) presented its electoral programme, which very much focused on social measures and women’s rights, public broadcaster RTVE reported.
Should Sumar form part of the future government – which would most likely be alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist PSOE party – it proposes to set up a telephone helpline to guide men “in crisis” who, if needed, could also be referred to social services that work on “other forms of masculinities, encourage care and empathy, so that they can receive the necessary professional support”.
During the presentation ceremony in Madrid, which was attended by other members of Sumar, the platform’s spokesperson for feminism, equality and LGBT rights, writer Elizabeth Duval, defended feminism as a “fundamental pillar” based on material and concrete measures, noting that this movement should be “neither a cultural battle” nor “a philosophical debate”.
Sumar’s project proposes feminism for the 99%, which appeals to the social majorities and is the vector for combating both poverty and inequality, explained Duval, as quoted by Spanish media.
In its programme, Sumar also wants to ensure two million public housing units are made available for social renting over the next 10 years, ensure the creation of half a million jobs linked to renewable energies, and the “Vice-Presidency for Feminism”. It also proposes to change Spain’s productivity model and ensure better wealth distribution.
(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.EURACTIV.es)
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