Ministry of Equality (Spain)

History

The department was created in 2008 at the second term of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's second term in order to promote equality policies set forth in the 2007 Equality Act and in the 2004 Comprehensive Act on Violence against Women, as well as promoting the programs of the Institute of Women and the Institute of Youth. The Ministry assumed the powers on equality that belonged at that time to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which was renamed Ministry of Labour and Immigration.

The Prime Minister chose Bibiana Aído to head this new department. She became the first person to hold this position in Spain and the youngest person to hold a ministerial office in democracy.

On 21 October 2010, a cabinet reshuffle merged the Ministry of Equality in the Ministry of Health (which was headed by Leire Pajín) and in exchange the Secretariat of State for Equality was created. Aído accepted the offer of the prime minister to continue at the forefront of the equality policies as Secretary of State.

The department was re-established on 13 January 2020, although without the responsibilities over youth affairs, that this time were assigned to the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Organization chart and key people

Current structure (2020–)

The current structure of the Department is:

• The Secretariat of State for Equality and for the Eradication of Violence against Women.
  • The Government Delegation against Gender Violence.
  • The Directorate-General for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination and against Racism.
  • The Directorate-General for Real and Effective Equality of LGTBI+ People.
• The Undersecretariat of Equality.
  • The General Technical Secretariat.
• The Institute of Women.

2008–2010 structure

The Department of Equality, in its first period, was integrated by two main bodies:

• The Undersecretariat of Equality, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis. Headed by Concepción Toquero Plaza (April–October 2008) and Antonio José Hidalgo López (2008–2010).
  • The General Technical Secretariat.
  • The Deputy Directorate-General for Economic, Budgetary and Personnel Programming and Management.
• The General Secretariat for Equality Policies, which was the main body in charge of developing the Ministry's powers. Headed by Isabel María Martínez Lozano (2008–2010).
  • The Government Delegation for Gender Violence.
  • The Directorate-General for Equality in Employment.
  • The Directorate-General against Discrimination.

The department also managed the following agencies and bodies:

• The Institute of Youth.
• The Youth Council of Spain.
• The Institute of Women.
• The Women's Participation Council.
• The Council for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination of Persons by Racial or Ethnic Origin The Independent Authority for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination, established in May 2025, interacts with the Government through this department.

List of officeholders

Office name:

• Ministry of Equality (2008–2010; 2020–present)

Notes

References

References

1. (1 January 2023). "2023 State Budget".
2. "Royal Decree 455/2020, 10th March, which develops the basic organic structure of the Ministry of Equality.".
3. Keeley, Graham. (14 April 2008). "Spanish cabinet has its first female majority".
4. "Royal Decree 139/2020, of January 28, which establishes the basic organic structure of the ministerial departments.".
5. (14 April 2008). "Real Decreto 436/2008, de 12 de abril, por el que se nombran Ministros del Gobierno". Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado.
6. (21 October 2010). "Real Decreto 1322/2010, de 20 de octubre, por el que se dispone el cese de doña Bibiana Aído Almagro como Ministra de Igualdad". Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado.
7. (13 January 2020). "Real Decreto 8/2020, de 12 de enero, por el que se nombran Ministros del Gobierno". Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado.
8. (25 July 2023). "Real Decreto 695/2023, de 24 de julio, por el que se declara el cese de los miembros del Gobierno". Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado.
9. (21 November 2023). "Real Decreto 835/2023, de 20 de noviembre, por el que se nombran Ministros del Gobierno". Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado.