Reconocimiento a Mujeres Migrantes en Bilbao

The Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, has presented awards for the VI edition of «Recognition of Migrant Women from Bilbao» to six migrant women from Bilbao who have stood out for their contribution to the social, economic, and cultural life of the city.

On this occasion, 23 nominations were submitted, and after evaluation by the Human Rights, Coexistence, Cooperation, and Interculturality area of the Bilbao City Council; by the Local Immigration Council (CLI), and by the consultancy firm Sortzen, the women selected for the six categories are:

• COMMUNITY AGENT WOMAN: Cristina Zamora (Peru)
• ENTREPRENEUR WOMAN: Boldia Sdenka Antezana (Bolivia)
• POLITICAL WOMAN: Luz Estella Romero (Colombia)
• ARTIST WOMAN: Africa Bibang (Guinea descent)
• SCIENTIFIC WOMAN: Elnazossadat Zohravui (Iran)
• YOUNG WOMAN: Fernanda Cándida Esteve. (Brazil)

During his speech, the Mayor of Bilbao, Juan Mari Aburto, congratulated the finalists for these awards and highlighted their role in building Bilbao as an Intercultural City; “Your stories are a living testimony of the strength, resilience, and power of diversity; today is a special day to recognize your contribution to building a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society,” stated the Mayor, while also urging them to “continue with the important work you are doing and be role models for other women who are also working with dedication and resilience. It is essential to have all of you in the community: mirrors to look up to, exemplary women who inspire and support the next generations, those who are already here and those to come”.

RECOGNITION OF THE CITY’S DIVERSITY

This municipal initiative, now in its sixth edition, is a well-established strategic project within the Local Immigration Council (CLI). The «Recognition of Migrant Women» aims to highlight the importance of the presence of immigrant women in the social and public life of the city of Bilbao, as well as to establish spaces of reference and recognition of diversity in Bilbao.

The initiative is part of the commemoration of March 8, International Women’s Day, and is a project that focuses on promoting the empowerment and visibility of migrant women.

Furthermore, this project aligns with the Values Charter of the «Bilbao Balioen Hiria» project in its commitment to developing actions that promote inclusion, tolerance, and coexistence through cultural diversity, where values such as social justice, respect for human rights, inclusion, commitment, solidarity, and participation are always present. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

COMMUNITY OF MIGRANT WOMEN FROM BILBAO

As a result of this initiative, which has involved over 90 women of foreign origin in Bilbao, the Community of Migrant Women from Bilbao was established in 2024. The goal of this community is to empower migrant women through the creation of spaces for meeting, reflection, dialogue, support, and proposals from a feminist perspective, and to promote their social recognition in Bilbao.

Later today, the Community of Migrant Women from Bilbao will hold its first annual meeting at the Bilbao Arena Club (6:00 to 8:00 pm) to welcome the new award-winning women and participants in this edition, to share a space for dialogue, and to celebrate the new additions to this project.

WOMEN OF FOREIGN ORIGIN IN THE CITY

Regarding sociological data on migrant women in Bilbao, more than half of the foreign-born population are women (52%). According to the Municipal Register data in 2024, there are 31,287 registered women, with the most common profile being that of Latin American women.

As for the most common origins among these women in Bilbao, Colombia, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Morocco, Romania, China, Ecuador, and Peru are the top ten countries.

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