- The women awarded in this edition have been the communicator Henar Álvarez Díaz; the biologist and president of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain, Ana María Crespo de Las Casas; the founder of Somos Refugio, Emilia Lozano Díaz; the national police Milagros Gómez Álvarez; the civil guard María José María José Vera Martín; the official Virginia de la Fuente; and the trade unionist Nati Camacho García-Moreno.
- It completes the eight recognitions, the distinction posthumously to the jurist and professor of international law, Concepción Escobar Hernández.
- The Espacio Mujer Madrid (EMMA) will host on Friday, March 6, the ceremony of delivery of the third edition of these recognitions promoted by the Government Delegation in Madrid on the occasion of the commemoration of March 8, International Women's Day.
The Government Delegation in Madrid will deliver the ‘8M’ recognitions next Friday, March 6. 8 Women, 8 Reasons’ for its third edition, on the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day.
The call was launched at the end of January by the Government Delegation, with an open period during which citizens, associations and institutions have been able to present the candidacies of women who, with everyday or extraordinary stories, are examples of overcoming and fighting for equality.
Finally, the Delegation has decided to distinguish with its eight recognitions of this edition the following women:
Henar Álvarez Díaz, humor and irony to fight for equality
A key figure in feminist communication and humor, she holds a degree in Audiovisual Communication from the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC). His career includes radio, television and digital platforms, highlighting his participation in programs such as Buenism well (SER chain), The ones that were missing (Movistar+) and the podcast Stretching the chewing gum. In 2024, it premiered To heaven with her, its own space in RTVE.
In addition to her facet as a monologist and presenter, she has explored the narrative with the graphic novel The bad milk and his fiction Ansia (2024). Through an ironic and provocative style, Henar uses humor to reflect on the equality of women, becoming a necessary and clear voice of his generation.
Ana María Crespo de Las Casas, the first president of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain
She holds a degree and a PhD in Biological Sciences, a Professor of Botany at the Complutense University of Madrid and an associate professor at the Field Museum in Chicago. Considered a global eminence in his field of knowledge, his career combines research excellence with public management. Among other positions of responsibility she was General Director of Universities and of the Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Research.
His academic activity includes the direction of more than a dozen doctoral theses and the publication of more than 250 scientific articles. In June 2024, she made history when she was proclaimed president of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Spain, becoming the first woman to lead the institution in its 177 years of existence.
Concepción Escobar Hernández, a reference in international law (posthumously)
Jurist of international prestige and professor of Public International Law at the UNED. Concepción Escobar Hernández broke glass ceilings in legal diplomacy as the first woman to head the International Legal Advisory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain (2004-2012). She was subsequently elected a member of the United Nations International Law Commission (2011–2022). In April 2025 she had been presented by the Government of Spain as a candidate for judge of the International Criminal Court, an election scheduled for the end of 2026.
His career combined intense institutional activity with teaching, training different generations of jurists. In the academic field he left as a legacy an extensive work on International Criminal Law, immunities, Diplomatic Law and Human Rights.
Nati Camacho García-Moreno, for the rights of the textile sector in Franco’s regime
A historical reference of the workers’ and feminist struggle in Spain, he was a fundamental figure in the organization of the trade union resistance against the Franco dictatorship. A pioneer in the mobilization of the textile sector in Madrid during the 60s and 70s, her courage was decisive for the call for strikes that challenged the regime.
Closely linked to the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), he has dedicated his life to defending social rights from a collective perspective. Her career symbolizes the struggle of working women for equality and justice, remembering that grassroots activism is essential for the conquest and defense of equality and democratic freedoms.
Emilia Lozano Díaz, the welcome in the face of exclusion
Emilia was over 70 years old when she transformed her personal commitment into a neighbourhood solidarity movement. After detecting the needs of the young people who left the reception system in his neighborhood of Hortaleza, he decided to act to avoid their social exclusion.
With perseverance, he founded the NGO Somos Refugio that helps unaccompanied and extutelated young migrants in a street situation through residential care. This project aims to provide the boys and girls with the necessary means and tools so that they can develop and be part of society in their new adult life.
Virginia de la Fuente, at the helm of a crucial dam in Madrid
He has been in charge of the El Pardo Dam for 29 years, a vocational profession to which he acceded after getting to know and overcoming the selective process that would lead him to a destination that he feels united since childhood: the El Pardo Dam, located in one of the most emblematic and protected ecosystems of the Community of Madrid, the Monte de El Pardo.
With her work and dedication she assumes every day the responsibility that comes with being in charge of operating the only category A dam of the Tajo Hydrographic Confederation (those whose breakage or incorrect operation can seriously affect urban centers, essential infrastructures or cause very high material/environmental damage) in the Community of Madrid. An example of the dedication and commitment that characterizes many and many public employees.
María José Vera Martín, a pioneer in the Civil Guard dedicated to the fight against gender violence
Pioneering civil guard, belonging to the first promotions that allowed access to women in the Institution. Since 2007, he has worked in the VioGén Team of the Getafe company, where he stands out for his leadership capacity and vocation of service.
His work is defined by personalized treatment for victims, based on deep empathy and thorough study of each case to ensure effective and humane protection. Her career represents not only a milestone in the gender equality of the Civil Guard, but a direct impact in the fight against gender violence.
Milagros Gómez Álvarez, on the other side of 091
Milagros is a fundamental piece of the Provincial Citizen Security Brigade of the National Police, where it carries out its work in the Citizen Service of Room CIMACC 091. This strategic body is responsible for centralizing and managing citizens’ emergencies and coordinating police resources 24 hours a day.
A highly demanding environment in which Milagros stands out for its ability to channel effectively and closely the demands for help and information, becoming the first link between citizenship and police response.
All of them are the winners of the III ‘8M Awards. 8 Women, 8 Reasons’ that will be delivered on March 6 at 10:00 hours in an event held at the Espacio Mujer Madrid (EMMA). Chaired by the government delegate, Francisco Martín Aguirre, it will be attended by authorities and guests, as well as being open to the media.