ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN’S ORGANIZATIONS IN SPAIN DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF F. FRANCO’S REGIME

Abstract

The study of Spanish women’s organizations activitity during the establishment of F. Franco’s regime plays an important role in the research of peculiarities of the Francoist regime.

The purpose of this study is to specify the directions of women’s organizations activity, the peculiarities of their functioning, and their role in the legitimization of F. Franco’s regime during its establishment.

The article reveals prerequisites and the purpose of the formation of women’s organizations by the Francoists. The main areas of activity of women’s organizations during the establishment of F. Franco’s regime are characterized. The methods of ideological indoctrination through the activities of women’s organizations are specified.

Since the period of Civil War, Frankists paid great attention to the activity of women’s organizations. The organized movement supported the reliability of the rear because women performed administrative, social, and humanitarian duties. The establishment of F. Franco’s regime in Spain has led to reconsideration of the concept of female identity. The conservatism-based state ideology declared the priority of private sphere for women. Accordingly, women were instilled the idea that their purpose is to be wives, mothers, and housewives. The activity of the «Social Service» was focused on administrative and bureaucratic work and providing social assistance to vulnerable segments of the population. «Women’s Catholic Action» provided charitable aid to the poor as well as religious and educational services. The «Women’s Section» was the largest and the most influential among the women’s organizations in the time of F. Franco’s regime. It was subordinated to the «Spanish Falange» party, and its activities were directed by state authorities. «Women’s Section» was involved in educational, ideological, political, and cultural activities.

During the establishment of F. Franco’s regime, women’s organizations became a tool for regulating gender behavior and influencing the society.