Nevenka Fernández, the first Spanish woman to win a sexual harassment lawsuit against a politician, was applauded at the San Sebastián Film Festival at the premiere of “I am Nevenka”, a documentary that tells the story of their courageous fight. Although she never wanted to be a symbol of feminism, Nevenka has become one of the key women in the fight against machismoIn 2002, she faced a trial that not only brought sexual harassment to the forefront of the debate, but also the price women pay for speaking out.
“If I was going to die, I was going to die standing up, telling what had happened.”he confessed in a Interview with Ana PastorIts history, marked by threats and social rejection, resonates today as a cry of courage and resistance.
Nevenka follows in the footsteps of women like Ana Orantesof which TV testimony In 1997, Spain was shocked by the 40 years of violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband. Just 13 days after his public denunciation, she was murdered by her attacker. His case was a catalyst for the first state law to recognize gender-based violencebut only in the marital sphere.
The echo of these struggles has multiplied over time. In 2016, the case of La Manadawhere a young woman was gang raped during the San Fermin celebrations, sparked a national movement under the slogan “I believe you”. Streets across Spain were filled with protesters in support of the young woman, and the focus was on sexual consent, which led to the law of yes only is yes in 2022, eliminating the distinction between sexual abuse and assault.
More recently, in 2023, Luis Rubiales’ non-consensual kiss to the player Jenni Hermoso During the celebration of the Women’s World Cup, machismo was once again at the centre of the debate. The motto “#SeAcabó” emerged as the cry of the Spanish #MeToo, showing that women are no longer willing to tolerate more aggression or complicit silence.
Like Fernández, Hermoso, Orantes and many others, the women who have spoken out against machismo in Spain are already at the forefront of a struggle that is still alive. They have suffered violence, but their courage has inspired social and legislative changes that today protect future generations of women. As María Guerra, president of the Association of Film Informants of Spain, said: “The Feroz are always with the victims.” These women, although vulnerable, are symbols of resistance and transformation in a society that still fights for equality.
