Ivana Morales has won a highly symbolic court battle in Spain. At 48, this Andalusian obtained 204,000 euros in compensation from her ex-husband to compensate for the 25 years she dedicated exclusively to her home and the education of their two daughters.
At the end of her marriage, Ivana abandons her studies and becomes a stay-at-home mother while her husband pursues a successful career. He quickly earns money, opens several sports halls and invests in a farm. On the promenade by the beach in Torre del Mar, where she lives, Ivana tells us about those years of sacrifice. “It was very hard for me. I was at home. I cooked, I did the housework. I took the girls to school, to the doctor. I took care of them entirely. My husband did absolutely nothing.“
This woman describes years of loneliness and economic dependence. “I had to constantly beg him for money to buy groceries or pay for the girls’ activities. I even happened to work as a volunteer in the gyms of my ex-husband“, relate-t-elle.
In 2020, the couple divorced. Married under the separation of property regime, Ivana finds herself with almost nothing. She then decides to fight to have all these years of domestic work recognized. After a long procedure, justice has just given him reason. Her ex-husband will have to pay her 204,000 euros, the equivalent of 25 years of minimum wage for this invisible but very real job. “This is a huge victory for me and for all women!“, declares triumphant Ivana. “It is the recognition of our invisible work. We’ve been in the shadows, and now they’re throwing “Olé” at us, as we say here in Andalusia. A few years ago, this decision would have been unthinkable!“