O texto III refere-se a questão
A Forced Kiss, and a Reckoning With
Sexism in Spain1
In the wake of a nonconsensual kiss
pressed on Jennifer Hermoso, a star player of the
Spanish women's soccer team, by the president
of Spain’s soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, a
significant national conversation has been
sparked in Spain about feminism, equality, and
abuse. The incident highlights the clash between
deeply ingrained traditions of machismo and
Spain's more recent progressivism on genderrelated matters.
The unwarranted kiss by Rubiales on
Hermoso's lips has become symbolic of the
generational and cultural divide between
traditional machismo and the more modern push
for gender equality. The incident has led to
widespread condemnation, even within
conservative circles. This event has been referred
to by some as Spain’s version of the #MeToo
movement.
Spanish prosecutors have initiated a
preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales
could be charged with a sexual aggression crime.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation, led by
Rubiales, has faced calls for his resignation due
to the controversy.
In a politically charged environment, where
the far-right's anti-gender identity stance was
rejected in recent elections, Spain's feminist
movement has gained momentum. Leading
politicians, cultural figures, and voices within
soccer culture have expressed support for
Hermoso and condemned Rubiales, highlighting
Spain's shift towards gender equality.
The incident has triggered a broader
reflection on the country's entrenched soccer
culture and sexism, prompting discussions about
the need for change. Many see this moment as
an opportunity for Spain to address and transform
the deeply ingrained sexism within maledominated institutions.
(Adapted from "A Forced Kiss, and a
Reckoning With Sexism in Spain" by Jason
Horowitz and Rachel Chaundler, Aug. 28, 2023)