Introduction
Over the past decade, Spain has been quietly yet consistently shaping a foreign policy in which gender equality stands as a central pillar. Under the umbrella of so-called “feminist diplomacy,” the country has placed the rights of women and girls, the fight against gender-based violence, and the full participation of women in political and economic life at the core of its international projection.
This orientation is not merely normative discourse: it has sought to materialise in development-cooperation priorities, positions in multilateral fora, strategic alliances and a particular soft-power narrative. Spain aims to carve out its own space on the global diplomatic map, aligned with the gender-equality agendas of the United Nations and the European Union, yet marked by a distinctive imprint in Ibero-America, the Mediterranean and Africa.
The key question is the extent to which this gender-equality foreign policy can consolidate itself as a lasting hallmark of Spain—capable of withstanding domestic political shifts and providing real advantages in terms of influence and international credibility.
From Domestic Agenda to External Projection: The Leap Towards Feminist Diplomacy
Spain’s gender-equality foreign policy did not emerge in a vacuum. It is rooted in a domestic normative framework—including gender-violence legislation, equality laws and increasing institutional parity—that has placed the country among those with the most advanced gender-policy development in Europe.
This background has provided a degree of domestic legitimacy for its external messaging. Spain has presented gender equality as a pillar of its external action, integrating it into strategies and planning documents, and linking it to development cooperation, security and defence policy, cultural diplomacy and participation in international organisations.
Spanish feminist diplomacy revolves around three main vectors: the defence of women’s and girls’ rights as a human-rights imperative; gender equality as a condition for sustainable development; and women’s participation in decision-making, particularly in peace and security processes.
Ultimately, the aim is to project the image of a country that not only meets standards, but seeks to act as a reference point and catalyst for progressive agendas within the international system.
Equality, Development and Cooperation: Priorities on the Ground
Spanish development cooperation has been a key instrument in translating this policy into practice. Programmes in Latin America, the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa have increasingly incorporated explicit gender-equality goals—from girls’ and adolescents’ education to institutional strengthening in the fight against gender-based violence.
The logic is twofold. On one hand, to support legal reforms and public policies that expand rights and protections; on the other, to promote the economic and social empowerment of women, especially in rural or highly vulnerable contexts. In many partner countries, Spanish cooperation is perceived as an ally in building modern regulatory frameworks and in strengthening the capacities of administrations and civil-society organisations.
Spain’s gender-equality foreign policy also extends to action in multilateral fora: defending the 2030 Agenda, supporting initiatives on sexual and reproductive health, and backing resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. Spain has sought to present itself as a reliable actor in these negotiations, building alliances with like-minded countries and international organisations.
The challenge, however, is ensuring that this agenda is not confined to the language of cooperation, but instead permeates the entirety of foreign policy—from economic diplomacy to security.
Spain in the European Framework: Alignment, Leadership and Limits
The European Union has developed its own gender-equality and feminist foreign-policy strategies in recent years, offering Spain a favourable environment for its initiatives. At the EU level, the country has aligned itself with member states advocating for the integration of gender equality into neighbourhood policy, cooperation and climate action.
This alignment allows Spain’s voice to be amplified through the EU, especially in negotiations with third countries where Brussels acts as a single actor. Spain benefits from the EU’s critical mass to promote, for instance, gender-equality clauses in association agreements or regional cooperation programmes.
At the same time, gender-equality foreign policy offers Spain a field in which it can exercise specific leadership within the EU, proposing initiatives, driving programmes and shaping common positions with partners such as France, the Nordic countries or certain Benelux states.
However, limits persist. Divergences among member states on sexual and reproductive rights, gender-equality education or the legal recognition of certain rights can weaken the EU’s message—and, with it, Spain’s capacity to project a fully coherent agenda. Moreover, when geostrategic or energy interests come into play, gender equality may be relegated in favour of more immediate priorities.
Soft Power, National Image and Internal Contradictions
Spain’s gender-equality foreign policy is also, inevitably, an image policy. The country seeks to project a narrative of a modern diplomacy centred on human rights, sustainable development and diversity. This narrative strengthens Spanish soft power, particularly in contexts where equality issues resonate strongly with public opinion and civil-society organisations.
Cultural diplomacy, the work of embassies and participation in international fora have helped link the “Spain brand” not only to tourism, gastronomy or heritage, but also to values such as equality, diversity and the defence of women’s rights.
Nonetheless, this external projection coexists with internal debates and tensions. Gender-equality policies are subject to partisan controversy, legislative revisions and social polarisation. Critics argue that a credible feminist foreign policy requires internal coherence: a country cannot demand abroad what is being weakened or questioned at home.
These tensions do not invalidate gender-equality foreign policy, but they do affect its credibility. For feminist diplomacy to consolidate as a lasting hallmark, it must rely on broad consensus and withstand changes of government while maintaining a shared minimum standard.
Future Challenges: Consolidating a Strategic Identity
The future of Spain’s gender-equality foreign policy depends on its ability to address several challenges.
The first is institutionalisation. Gender equality must be clearly integrated into strategies, budgets and structures, beyond declarations and one-off plans. This requires resources, evaluation mechanisms and specialised training within the diplomatic corps.
The second challenge is mainstreaming. Gender-equality foreign policy cannot be limited to development cooperation and human-rights fora: it must be embedded in economic diplomacy, defence policy, strategic bilateral relations and positions within international financial institutions.
The third challenge lies in alliances. Spain will need to continue building coalitions with other states, multilateral organisations and non-state actors—NGOs, foundations and international feminist networks—to sustain this agenda amid global pushbacks on women’s rights.
Finally, the fourth challenge concerns narrative and results. Spanish feminist diplomacy will be stronger the more it can demonstrate concrete progress: laws enacted, policies implemented, successful projects, and the real participation of women in peace and decision-making processes. In other words, moving from discourse to measurable outcomes.
If Spain succeeds on these fronts, gender-equality foreign policy may become a distinctive strategic asset—one that brings coherence, legitimacy and influence in an international landscape where values and rights are increasingly contested.
Key Points
Context
Spain has made gender equality one of the pillars of its foreign policy, shaping a diplomacy that presents itself as feminist and oriented toward defending the rights of women and girls, sustainable development and full participation in public life.
Implications
This policy reinforces Spain’s soft power, enables it to exercise some leadership within the EU and opens avenues for cooperation with partners in Latin America, the Mediterranean and Africa. But it also exposes Spain to scrutiny over domestic coherence and to the constraints imposed by geopolitical balances and economic priorities.
Outlook
The consolidation of gender-equality foreign policy will depend on its institutionalisation, its mainstreaming across all areas of external action, the building of strong alliances and the ability to translate principles into tangible results that bolster Spain’s international credibility.
