During a recent vote held in Sagunto, 267 members of the cofradía (brotherhood) firmly rejected a proposal to amend their statutes to allow women to participate in the Holy Week processions, with only 114 in favor of the change. The debate centered around whether to replace the term 'men' with 'people', intending to make the event more inclusive. The longstanding tradition of these processions dates back 530 years, and many members explained that maintaining these traditions is of utmost importance to them.

The arguments presented by the cofrades highlighted a resistance to change. Phrases such as 'tradition is tradition' and the suggestion that women should form their own group if they wanted to participate were brought up during discussions. This reflects a broader societal issue regarding gender roles and inclusivity within cultural traditions. The event has been recognized as having National Tourist Interest, raising concerns that rejecting inclusivity could affect its status and appeal.

As cultural practices continue to evolve, the decision made by the men of the cofradía underscores the ongoing tension between tradition and modernization. Critics of this vote argue that the refusal to incorporate women into these significant cultural events detracts from the evolution of societal values and the shift toward more inclusive practices in public celebrations.