The International Women’s Day once again places feminism at the center of public debate in Spain. Yet unlike a few years ago, the movement arrives at this date marked by growing internal divisions, political controversies and an ongoing discussion about the direction feminism should take in the future.
Between 2018 and 2020, feminism experienced one of its strongest moments of social mobilization in Spain. The demonstrations on March 8 became some of the largest protests in the country’s recent history. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, placing gender equality firmly at the center of Spain’s political and social agenda.
Over time, however, internal differences within the movement have become increasingly visible.
Spain Press Editorial Team
Two marches and different visions
In several Spanish cities, March 8 is no longer marked by a single demonstration. Different feminist platforms now organize separate marches, reflecting the ideological divisions that have emerged within the movement.
Some organizations advocate a form of feminism focused primarily on women’s rights based on biological sex. Other groups integrate demands linked to gender identity and the broader LGBT movement into their activism.
Supporters of what is often described as “classical feminism” argue that some of these newer currents have adopted increasingly radical positions. According to this view, certain narratives frame the relationship between men and women as a structural conflict, placing men in a role that some women perceive as unwelcome or problematic within the debate.
Other activists strongly reject this criticism, arguing that the inclusion of different identities and struggles is a natural evolution of social movements.
The controversy over the “Only Yes Means Yes” law
Another major point of tension within Spain’s feminist debate has been the so-called “Only Yes Means Yes” law, officially the law guaranteeing sexual freedom. The reform was promoted by the left-wing party Podemos when it led the Ministry of Equality.
The law aimed to strengthen protection against sexual violence by placing explicit consent at the center of the legal definition of sexual offences. However, the reform also modified certain minimum sentences within the criminal code.
As a result, Spanish courts reviewed many previous convictions under the legal principle that the most favorable law for the defendant must apply retroactively. This led to sentence reductions for numerous offenders and, in some cases, the early release of individuals convicted of sexual crimes. The outcome sparked a major political and social controversy across Spain.
A generational debate
Another issue increasingly discussed within parts of the feminist movement is the apparent decline in participation among younger women in some recent demonstrations.
During the years of peak mobilization, young women played a central role in the protests. More recently, some observers believe their presence has diminished compared with previous years.Some representatives of classical feminist groups attribute this change partly to what they see as a growing radicalization or politicization within certain strands of the movement. According to this perspective, more confrontational or polarized discourse may have distanced part of the younger generation.
Other analysts disagree and argue that younger women remain deeply committed to equality, but often express their activism in different ways, particularly through social media and digital platforms.
A movement still influential but evolving
Despite these divisions, feminism remains one of the most influential social movements in Spain. Many legal reforms and social changes over recent decades have been strongly shaped by feminist activism.
The current landscape, however, reflects a movement that is more plural, more contested and more internally debated than in previous years. In this context, every new March 8 is not only a day of demonstrations for equality, but also a reflection of the ongoing debate about the future direction of feminism in Spain.
