Spanish Equality Ministry Targets Key Legislative Milestones

• The Spanish Ministry of Equality is prioritizing the passage of legislation regarding vicarious violence and human trafficking ahead of upcoming electoral timelines.
• The ministry is also preparing for the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for November 2026 in Madrid.

Legislative Priorities

• Vicarious Violence Law: A complex bill modifying over ten existing statutes, including the Penal and Civil Codes. It establishes vicarious violence as an aggravating gender-based circumstance and mandates the inclusion of minors' perspectives in custody and visitation proceedings.
• Anti-Trafficking Bill: An ambitious proposal covering labor, sexual, and other forms of exploitation. However, it faces significant political hurdles in reaching consensus among government partners and opposition groups.
• Constitutional Abortion Rights: A proposal to embed abortion rights within the Spanish Constitution. While framed as an ordinary reform requiring a three-fifths majority in both houses, it lacks the necessary support without the backing of the Popular Party (PP).

Professional Regulation

• The ministry aims to regulate the profession of "equality agents" to standardize training, clear definitions of duties, and professional requirements, ensuring higher effectiveness for gender equality policies in both public and private sectors.