International Women’s Day in Spain

Today, Spain marks International Women’s Day, a significant event in the country’s fight for gender equality. On March 8, tens of thousands of women take to the streets to demand justice and equal rights.

Over recent decades, the feminist movement has secured key victories, including stricter laws against gender-based violence, improved labour rights, and the “Solo sí es sí” law, which places sexual consent at the core of legislation.

However, activists warn that these gains are now under threat due to the rise of far-right political movements. In Spain, the party Vox seeks to abolish gender-based violence laws and replace feminist legislation with a broader approach to domestic violence—one that does not acknowledge structural inequalities between men and women. This year, International Women’s Day is not just about advancing rights but also defending them from growing conservative opposition.

Feminism vs. the far right in Spain

Vox, Spain’s leading far-right party, opposes feminist policies. The party denies the existence of gender-based violence and calls for the repeal of the Ley de Violencia de Género, which offers specific protections for women against domestic and sexual abuse. Vox also rejects the “Solo sí es sí” law, which strengthens protections for sexual violence survivors.

In regions where Vox holds power, such as Castilla y León, the party has attempted to cut feminist education programmes and funding for women’s rights organisations. Instead, Vox promotes traditional family structures and claims feminist organisations are engaged in ideological “indoctrination.”

Feminist groups see these policies as a direct attack on decades of progress. Comisión 8M, the main organiser behind the annual demonstrations, warns that these measures are part of a broader effort to roll back social rights. This year’s march carries the slogan:

“Feministas antirracistas a las calles, nos va la vida en ello” (“Anti-racist feminists to the streets, our lives depend on it”).

This highlights the movement’s commitment to addressing not just gender inequality but also racism, migrant rights, and economic disparities.

Divisions within the feminist movement

While the movement stands united against the far right, internal debates persist. Two major issues continue to divide feminists in Spain:

• Prostitution: Some activists call for a total ban, arguing that it exploits women, while others advocate for better protections and labour rights for sex workers.
• Transgender rights: The 2023 Ley Trans, which allows individuals to legally change their gender identity more easily, has sparked debate within the movement.

Despite these differences, the rise of conservative opposition has led many feminist groups to set aside disagreements in defence of women’s rights.

The power of everyday actions

The feminist struggle extends beyond protests and politics. Across Spain, women challenge traditional gender roles in their daily lives.

• Many demand a fairer division of household work within their families.
• Others claim their space in public life, speaking out against discrimination.
• In workplaces, women push for equal opportunities and call out injustices.

These everyday actions demonstrate that feminism is not only about legal reforms and mass mobilisation but also about shifting societal attitudes.

Spain’s long history of gender struggles

Spain has one of the most active feminist movements in Europe, shaped by its history of gender inequality. Under the Franco dictatorship (1939–1975), women had severely restricted rights, needing permission from male relatives to work, travel, or manage finances. It was only after the transition to democracy that significant progress was made, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

March 8: A fight that continues

Spain ranks high in the European Gender Equality Index, reflecting its progress in women’s rights. However, challenges remain. The rise of far-right politics, threats to existing protections, and the need for a more inclusive movement make International Women’s Day 2025 a moment of both celebration and vigilance.

Feminism in Spain remains a powerful force, determined to resist efforts to undermine gender equality and social justice.