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1955 Matrimonial Consent Act

Date
1955 - 1995
Archive
Central Archive of the Civil Registry of Barcelona
Document type
Textual
Reference code
CAT ARCBCN RC JMUN04BCN ACM 180/1955
Link to the archive
Description

The act of marital consent of 1955 is a judicial document that exemplifies the legal subordination of women during the Franco dictatorship. In that context, married women needed their husband’s authorization to carry out such basic actions as work, open a bank account or sign contracts. This type of document institutionalized gender inequality and reflected a patriarchal model deeply rooted in the Spanish legal system. Marital consent not only limited individual freedom, but also perpetuated a view of women as dependent subjects. It is a key witness to understanding the legal restrictions imposed on women and the subsequent struggle for equality within the European human rights framework.