Women's Rights in Spain

While a modern movement is gaining momentum toward full legal equality, this fight for basic human rights for women and girls has been going on for millennia. While the initial movement began in the U.K. in the mid 1840s, gained strength in the U.S. and then gained power in Stuttgart, Copenhagen, Berne and Stockholm, Spain has a long history of strong women who get work done that goes back to 1109 ad.

For our time, The International Women's Marches for local communities of women, men and children, have brought together a powerful force for change. On one day, March 8th, since 2017, Equality is on the move globally. With violence against women, girls and trans people on the rise and a disproportionately low pay for work, we must franchise our entire global population to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.

History of Women’s Rights in Spain #

Let’s so back a millennia, to 1100 ad. The first female leader of Spain, Queen Uuaca de León, used gender to her political advantage in orderBy to secure rights for her heir to the thrown in turbulent era. Her rule was from 1109-1126. The fate of León and Castile, important for Spain, rested maneuvers to secure strong alliances. We see in the video below the outcome of her efforts.

From 1474-1504 ad, Queen Isabella of Spain, presided over one of the worst atrocities inflicted by one human group over another – the Inquisition. While she commenced Spain as a global power toward countries on the Atlantic Rim vs Asia, she also solidified national power in Spain through expulsion and murder of the Jewish population.

She and her husband, Ferdinand II, financed Columbus’ voyage to Americas with three ships and 88 men by demanding collections from Palos. Some can rightfully argue that she was one of the most destructive leaders in history but also one with far-reaching impacts.

Trivia: Because of this, the U.S. Government made Isabella the first woman on a coin or a postage stamp in 1893.

Modern Times #

Women’s rights in Francoist Spain (1939-1975) and the democratic transition (1975-1985) saw legal limitations on women. The Franco regime immediately implemented draconian measures that legally incapacitated women, making them dependents of their husbands, fathers or the state. The Franco-era embraced a code of morality for women (not men) that restricted opportunities for professional careers but honored them as wives and mothers, prohibited divorce, contraception, and abortion but permitted prostitution.

A New Era began with the first majority female cabinet was sworn in on June 7^th, 2018 under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. I happened to fly into Barcelona on that day and the crowds of empowered women jammed the subways and the streets. That was followed with even more women participating in the Women’s Day March 2019 all over the country, including here in Mallorca.

In November, 2019, the world watched in horror as five men were acquitted of raping a 14 year old girl. The debate has been taken up in Parliament with the Socialists pushing for reforms while VOX and PP, two strong conservative parties, lobbying to make no changes to existing laws which, in essence, keeps women in servitude. Consequently, you have the strongest rallies happening all over the country with 500+ events planned on March 8^th – International Women’s Day.

Employment Laws for Women in Spain #

After a return to Democracy, a dramatic restoration of rights occurred yet the principle barrier for women continues to be high-unemployment and lack of part-time jobs. Employers must provide women and men with 16-weeks paid leave for the birth of a child. And, flexible leave is required for parents with children under 12 years of age. While this sounds good, it’s a stress for small businesses that have few employee redundancies due to other costs of employees.

In November 2017, the government created advantageous tax structures for self-employed women (autonomo – category) and small companies represent 95% of the Spanish economy. They allow for a reduced social security payment structure (“tarifa plana”) for three years for women, two years for men, in recognition of the additional barriers to entry into the job force.

Nominally Total Savings

• First 12 months 50€/270€ 2,640€
• mo. 13-18 270€
• mo. 19-24 270€
• mo. 25-30* 270€

*only women under 35, men under 30)

This tax structure is for foreign residents working in Spain and for native born.

Inheritance Laws for Women #

Here are a few questions to ask:

• What happens if you die in Spain?
• What happens if you buy Spanish property and have other assets in your home country?
• Does a Spanish will protect your assets?

The rules and Spanish inheritance tax rates vary according to the relationship between the donor and beneficiary, although generally unmarried couples and step-children pay more tax than spouses and natural children.

In my case, my husband has two children from a previous marriage. Even though he and I have been together for over 35 years, have built a life and our investment portfolio together, paying for our home together, I will only inherit 50% of the Spanish assets while paying a higher tax.

Make sure you know your rights, as a woman, prior to committed your hard-earned financial and emotional resources to building a retirement portfolio.

If you are interested in participating in International Women’s Day events, check out this and find one near you.

In Conclusion #

If you want to share your stories of International Women's Day on the island, please drop me an email at [email protected]. Send in your photos or post them on Instagram and tag #affordablemallorca so we can join with you on this month and in the future whether in person or online. Let's work toward full equality, recognizing we all - men and women - have talent and skills. We'll need all our collective innovation and strength as our global population grows and our circumstances change. I look forward to learning more about your journey.