25N: eradicating violence against women is also the responsibility of science

A year ago, on 25 November, the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, colleagues from Women In Global Health Spain (WGH Spain) and ISGlobal reflected on the situation of women and their rights on a global scale, with alarming cases such as that of Gisèle Pelicot in France, the critical situation of women in Afghanistan, and the election of a man convicted of sexual abuse, Donald Trump, as president of the United States. Although these problems persist and pose a threat to women’s fundamental rights, we do not have to look far that far; we can reflect on the state of violence against women in our own territory.

In 2025, women have once again become the target of blatant, cruel and deeply unjust institutional violence. In Madrid, a proposal has been submitted to the regional council claiming that abortion has negative health consequences, without any scientific basis. The so-called ‘post-abortion syndrome’ is nothing more than a strategy to stigmatise a fundamental right such as abortion. This discourse spreads misinformation with the aim of blaming women and hindering safe access to a service that should be fully guaranteed by the public health system, regardless of the party in government or the autonomous community you live in.

“In the last year we have seen several examples of institutional violence against women in Spain”
Blanca Paniello-Castillo

But this is not the only example. The public health system, which belongs to everyone, has suffered a serious blow to confidence as a result of an alarming management error in breast cancer screening in Andalusia, leaving more than 2,000 women without the results of an essential diagnostic test. It should be noted that this is not the responsibility of healthcare professionals, who continue to do their work with rigour and commitment, but rather the result of opaque administrative management and a lack of sustained resources. An error of this magnitude puts lives at risk, violates the right to health and represents a setback in terms of health equity and justice.

Sexual harassment and abuse of power in academia and healthcare

The world of science is no different; here, too, there is structural violence that affects many women. In the wake of Jennifer Hermoso’s harassment case during the last Women’s World Cup, an episode that called into question the role of feminism and the fight for gender equality, a group of researchers from ISGlobal, WGH Spain* and other research centres decided to collect testimonies from the health and academic fields, inspired by the #SeAcabó movement.

In the study, which we published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, we analysed 345 testimonies from women in the sector. The data is compelling: 74% of women say they have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives. More than 45% describe a normalisation of abusive behaviour, whether through abuse of power or of a sexual nature. However, only 6.7% reported or communicated their case to the institution, and only in 1.4% of these cases there were negative consequences for the harasser.

In a survey of women in academia and healthcare in Spain, 74% said they had experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives.

A necessary action plan

The high normalisation of sexual harassment and the low percentage of reporting highlight the urgent need to transform the cultural and institutional environment. Women must be able to feel protected and listened to, and institutions must ensure that there is no room for any form of harassment.

That is why we are calling for:

• The denormalisation of harassment and increased awareness through cross-cutting and ongoing training that goes beyond a simple checklist.
  • Good examples of this are the PRBB’s perceived discrimination survey and anti-discrimination campaigns and the Intervals programme‘s training courses, e.g. in leadership for women.
• Ensuring comprehensive prevention policies that guarantee zero tolerance and place victims at the centre, including recovery plans and real, independent support systems.
  • ISGlobal’s Equity Plan is an example of this approach.
• Ensure the accessibility and dissemination of existing harassment protocols so that everyone is aware of their rights and the protection mechanisms available.
  • In the PRBB’s EDI dossier, you can access the anti-harassment protocols of the PRBB and all its centres.
• Incorporate monitoring, evaluation and learning practices that enable us to recognise, understand and analyse exploitation, abuse and harassment from an intersectional perspective that takes into account factors such as immigration status and LGBTIQ+ status, among others.
• Promote transformative leadership in gender that works intersectionally to break down the deep-rooted power imbalances in academia and healthcare.

We are calling for many changes, yes, but they are necessary. That is why I hope that next year, this reflection for 25 November can be more optimistic. What I am sure of is that, today and always, we will continue to work for a more just, equitable and safe society for all.

*Women in Global Health Spain is an association founded in 2021 with the aim of contributing significantly to gender justice and equality across all areas of health.

Through research projects, awareness campaigns and political advocacy, we work to drive real and sustainable change in the healthcare system and institutions.

Find out more about us here: https://wghspain.es/