Mar 8 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Magda Oranich: “There is a part of feminism that I do not fully understand: I fought for equality, not for difference”

Magda Oranich reflects on her life dedicated to human rights and her experiences under Franco's regime, expressing concern about the youth's potential embrace of far-right ideologies.

Magda Oranich, an 81-year-old advocate from Barcelona, shares her experiences and thoughts in her memoirs, focusing on her lifelong commitment to human rights and feminism. In her view, there are aspects of contemporary feminism that she struggles to understand, especially the emphasis on difference rather than equality. Oranich's narrative vividly brings to life her time at the Model Prison in Barcelona, where she recounts harrowing historical moments and the fate of victims like Salvador Puig Antich and Txiqui during the last gasps of Franco's regime.

At a recent event at the former prison, which now serves as a site for historical memory, Oranich engaged with students to convey the realities of life behind bars during the dictatorship. She emphasized the importance of understanding the past, particularly given her fears that today's youth might be drawn towards far-right ideologies, potentially disregarding the hard-won battles for equality that earlier generations fought. Her reflections highlight the critical importance of education and remembrance in combating the rise of such ideologies in society.

Oranich's work sheds light on the broader implications of her experiences and challenges contemporary feminist movements to ensure the focus remains on equality rather than divisions. Her life story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights and equality, making it clear that acknowledging history is vital for guiding future generations on the path toward justice and equality.

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