# Gender equality debate in Elche Mystery Play > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gender-equality-debate-in-elche-mystery-play > Updated: 2026-09-16T11:59:04.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Discussions regarding the inclusion of women and girls in the Mystery Play of Elche have emerged, framed as a necessity for democratic justice and legal compliance. Advocates argue that integrating women is essential to align the medieval religious tradition with the 1978 Spanish Constitution and modern social realities. Following these calls, the political group Compromís, in collaboration with the Coordinadora Feminista and the Assemblea 8M, filed a formal motion to demand female participation in performances and the inclusion of girls in the Escolanía. Spokesperson Esther Díez described equality as an ‘irrenunciable principle’ that must be upheld in all societal spheres, including cultural heritage. The motion specifically targets the exclusion of women from key roles such as the Virgin Mary, Maria Salomé, and Maria Iacobe, arguing that such discrimination is an unjustified relic of the past that could potentially impact the event’s reputation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: Compromís demands female participation in Misteri d’Elx Compromís has filed a motion to ensure women and girls can participate in the Misteri d’Elx performances and Escolanía, arguing that gender exclusion in this UNESCO heritage site is unjustifiable today. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/comproms-demands-female-participation-in-misteri-delx ### 2026-09-06: Elx Mystery Play faces calls for female participation Advocates argue that including women and girls in the Mystery Play of Elche is necessary to comply with democratic principles and non-discrimination laws. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/elx-mystery-play-faces-calls-for-female-participation --- Cite as: Gender equality debate in Elche Mystery Play. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gender-equality-debate-in-elche-mystery-play