Due to the research done by Ipsos on the Women’s day, 52% of Spaniards believe that the promotion of gender equality led to the discrimination of men. This figure has increased by 2% compared to last year. Although Spain remains the European country with the highest proportion of people identifying with feminism (51%), this figure has decreased by 4% compared to 2024 (55%). At the same time, 75% of Spaniards continue to support the fight for gender equality, especially women (82%) and supporters of left-wing parties Sumar and PSOE (84% each ). However, 46% of citizens believe that the process of granting equal rights to women has “gone too far”.
The greatest concern about discrimination against men is expressed by men themselves (60%), as well as supporters of right-wing parties VOX (76%) and PP (60%). Among age groups, the most critical are representatives of the millennial generation (55%) and Generation X (52%).
The history of feminism in Spain
First feminist movements in Spain appeared in the late XIX- early XX century. Vast majority of them were focused on advocating women’s rights to education and labour. In 1931 women won their right to vote.
However, everything changed when Francisco Franco came to power and removed major part of women’s rights. Women were forced to obey with strict traditional roles. Although women could work, the permission to do so was coming from their husbands. Most jobs available to them were in education, nursing, domestic service and factory work. Married women in most cases were expected to leave their jobs and dedicate themselves to their families (although there were exceptions). The regime was promoting that “ideal” of women as being just mothers and caretakers. Large families were promoted by the government and contraception was illegal.
Women’s situation was complicated by the “permiso marital” (husband’s permition) that was not limited just to women’s right to work. Women were forced to ask their husbands for the approval to travel, own property or even to open a bank account. Divorce was completely banned and abortion was concerned to be illegal and punishable by imprisonment.
After Franco’s death, Spain went to the transitional period (from dictatorship to democracy) and women started to get back their rights. In 1981, divorce was legalised and in 1985, abortion was partially decriminalised.
After Spain has become a member of the European Union and NATO, it has become a global leader in gender equality applying progressive gender laws on domestic violence, gender quotas and equal pay.
While laws on equal pay seem to be quite reasonable, gender quotas and law on domestic violence have provoked some criticism among Spanish society.
Gender quotas are requiring electoral candidate list to have at least 40% of both gender representatives in national, regional, and municipal elections. Due to the corporate quotas at least 40% of companies representation should be fulfilled with women (speaking of large companies with more than 250 employees). Although these quotas have increased female participation in leadership roles, some critics argue they prioritised gender over qualities of the applications for the positions.
Domestic violence laws in Spain are considered to be one of the strictest in Europe. Due to the Organic Law 1/2004 on Gender Violence, domestic violence is recognised as a gendered crime meaning that male aggressors face harsher penalties than female perpetrators. Though domestic violence laws are protecting women from the wrong attitude towards them, the law discriminates men assuming that violence is mainly perpetrated by them, despite researches showing that men can also be victims. Some Spaniards have also faced false accusations, although these cases represent a small percentage from the whole number of cases.
The most notable examples of false accusations in cases with domestic violence:
- Granada Custody Case. A woman in Granada falsely accused her ex-husband of sexually abusing their daughter to gain sole custody. Over two years she filed 8 reports and subjected the child to multiple unnecessary medical examinations. In the end p, court found no evidence supporting her claims and sentenced her to 5 years in prison additionally finding her with €80,000, and revoked her parental rights for 10 years.
- Theo Hernandez False Rape Allegation. Spanish model Luisa Kremleva accused footballer Theo Hernandez of raping her in a car outside a Marbella nightclub. Investigations disproved her allegations. Later Kremleva received a 6-month suspended prison sentence and a €1,500 fine after admitting to make the false claim out of revenge when Hernandez declined her invitation to go home with her.
Another important factor in cases of gender inequality is that Spanish courts are favouring mothers in custody cases, leaving many fathers with limited visitation rights.
The last factor is social narratives against men in Spain. Some of them are criticising feminist movements as they are presenting men as potential aggressors. Consequently, men in Spain are feeling lost or unsure about their role in modern society.
Taking into account all of the above, it is not a surprise why in Spain appeared growing men’s right movement in the recent years. As a result, Spanish society needs to find a balance between gender equality and the prevention of possible negative consequences for men.
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