Controversy Erupts as Abuser Named Finalist in Valencia Equality Story Contest
The Compromís group at the Valencia City Council has sparked outrage over the inclusion of Carlos Flores Juberías, a current national deputy of Vox and a convicted abuser, as a finalist in the city's Beatriu Civera story contest, aimed at promoting gender equality. Flores Juberías, who was convicted in 2002 for domestic violence against his former wife, has had his story published in a book by the Council's Department of Equality, overseen by councilor Rocío Gil.
Papi Robles, the spokesperson for Compromís, expressed deep concern about the situation, stating, "It is very serious that the mayor, María José Catalá, publishes in a contest about equality a text from a recognized deputy of Vox convicted for abuse towards his wife. This is the utmost shame to which Valencians could be subjected." Robles accused the mayor of showing insensitivity and disdain towards gender equality, calling the move intolerable and a scandal.
Compromís is demanding that the mayor halt the publication of the awarded stories, which is scheduled to coincide with the award ceremony. The party is joined by the Socialist Party of Valencia (PSPV) in this request, asserting that public funds should not be used to legitimize an abuser. Robles described the inclusion of Flores Juberías as a "mocking operation" that undermines the values of feminism and challenges against gender stereotypes promoted by the contest.
Furthermore, Compromís has called for transparency regarding the award process, requesting access to the contest's foundational documents, the jury's minutes, and any files detailing the decision-making process behind Flores Juberías’ recognition. They highlighted that Vox has consistently denied the existence of gender violence, exacerbating the contradictions in honoring an abuser within an equality framework.
In response, the city government clarified that the jury for the Beatriu Civera contest was composed of four members, maintaining standards of parity and diversity, including researchers, journalists, linguists, and writers. They noted that all submissions were evaluated anonymously, with jury members unaware of the authors' identities during the selection process.
However, PSPV spokesperson Borja Sanjuán echoed Compromís' sentiments, demanding that the mayor refrain from publishing Flores' work. He announced plans to raise this issue in the upcoming Government Board meeting and called for the dismissal of Rocío Gil from her role overseeing equality matters. Sanjuán condemned the situation as a significant provocation against women and victims of gender-based violence, asserting that it reflected poorly on Catalá’s leadership.
He stated, "This is the umpteenth mockery and provocation that María José Catalá allows from the extreme right against women... If María José Catalá were up to her position, she would have expelled the extreme right from the city government long ago."
As calls for accountability intensify, both Compromís and PSPV emphasize the need for city leadership to genuinely support women's rights rather than enabling narratives that undermine them. The controversy highlights the broader societal challenges of addressing gender violence and the politics that often complicate the conversation surrounding equality.
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