Aitana Bonmati’s Ballon d’Or Speech Unveils a Symbol of Gender Equality
In her inspiring Ballon d’Or speech, Aitana Bonmati expressed gratitude to her parents, Rosa and Vicent, who were present at the event. She revealed a profound connection to the fight for gender equality embedded in her full name, Aitana Bonmati Conca.
The significance lies in Spanish naming tradition, where children are given two surnames, with the father’s surname typically taking precedence. Aitana’s parents, pioneers in challenging this norm, succeeded in altering the traditional surname order. In the conventional system, she would have been named Aitana Conca Bonmati due to her father’s surname being Conca.
Initially, parents could change the order only with mutual consent and a formal statement. Aitana’s parents were advocates for eliminating this rule, ultimately resulting in a change in the law in 2018. This legal update removed the default ‘dad’s surname first’ order, granting parents the freedom to choose the order without requiring state approval.
Aitana’s deep-rooted commitment to gender and social equality reflects the values instilled by her family. As she mentioned in an interview with Forbes in June 2023, “I do not like to remain silent or stand quiet before injustices.” Her name serves as a symbolic representation of the ongoing fight for gender equality and the legacy of her parents’ efforts.
