Spain: Women's movement declare 'feminist emergency' over gender-based violence

M/S Protesters with banners against sexist violence at Puerta del Sol, Madrid
M/S Protesters with banner reading (Spanish): 'Stop sexist violence'
M/S Banner reading (Spanish): 'Justice for crimes against women'
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Activist (Spanish): "We demand politicians to apply the laws, the laws that already exist." *UPSOUND*
M/S Activists counting victims of sexist violence
M/S Activist (Spanish): "They are killing us, 42 women so far this year." *UPSOUND*
M/S Activists counting victims of sexist violence
M/S Activist (Spanish): "We want an end to violence. We want to be free." *UPSOUND*
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Activists chanting (Spanish): "They are not psychos, they are killers"
M/S Protestors with banners against sexist violence
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
M/S Banner reading (Spanish): 'Coming back home I want to be free, not brave'
M/S Activists scanding anti-sexist slogans
W/S Activists gathered at Madrid's Puerta del Sol
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
C/U Protester wearing vest with logo of feminist organisation 'Coslada feminista'
M/S Activists chanting anti-sexist slogans
SCRIPT
Thousands of protesters gathered in central Madrid on Friday to protest a series of high-profile rape cases and the murder of 19 women by current or former partners this summer.
Organisers have declared a 'feminist emergency' with rallies held all across Spain, from the remote Canary Islands to the iconic Puerta del Sol.
Demonstrators wore purple - the colour of the women's movement - to protest against government inaction and media apathy towards gender-based violence.
Activists led chants against sexism or domestic violence against women.
In 2003 the Spanish government started publishing yearly reports on domestic violence with a total o 1,017 women killed by their current or former partners. Official figures state that 42 women were such victims in 2019 alone.