The Diplomat
The Spanish government brought to a debate at the UN on Wednesday the terminology of “ñiños, niñes y niñas” imposed by the Minister of Equality, Irene Montero.
In the United Nations Security Council debate on the protection of children in armed conflicts, the Spanish representative, Pablo Gutiérrez-Segú, a member of the Spanish Mission to the UN, -who until recently headed today ‘number two’ of Sumar’s candidacy, Agustín Santos-read a text with the position of our country, adding to that maintained by the European Commission and Canada.
Up to four times, Spain’s speech referred to “niños, niñes y niñas” when expressing its commitment to the protection of children, their right to education and health, and compliance with international humanitarian law. Thus, for example, speaking of Ukraine, he affirmed that the Russian aggression continues hitting schools, hospitals and other civil infrastructures, “as well as claiming the lives of niños, niñes y niñas”.
Only once did the text of the Spanish intervention use the generic term “children”, which is the one that the United Nations habitually uses in its texts, unless it refers specifically to girls.
