Spain Drops 22 Places in Women’s Wellbeing Ranking Under Sánchez

Spain Falls 22 Places in Women’s Wellbeing Ranking: The Balance of Sánchez’s ‘Feminism’

Georgetown University has released its annual index of the best countries to be a woman, showing Spain plummeting 22 places since Pedro Sánchez took office. This news fuels the debate on the government’s equality policies, accompanied by worrying statistics: peine sensual assaults have surged 276%, and over 1,200 convicts have benefited from sentence reductions under the 'Only Yes is Yes' law.

The Georgetown Ranking and Its Indicators

The Georgetown University index measures female wellbeing through variables such as safety, education, health, political participation, and economic opportunities. Spain’s drop of 22 places places it behind countries like Poland or Chile, contradicting the official narrative that Spain is a reference in gender equality. Available data shows the deterioration is particularly pronounced in safety and machismo-related violence.

The 'Only Yes is Yes' Law and Its Side Effects

The legal reform promoted by the Ministry of Equality, known as the 'Only Yes is Yes' law, has had an unintended effect: 1,233 convicts for sensual offenses have seen their sentences reduced, with some released early. Many analysts argue this creates a perception of impunity that discourages reporting and undermines confidence in the judicial system. Critics claim the law was poorly designed and that retroactive penal benefits benefited convicted aggressors.

Immigration and Sensual Crimes: An Uncomfortable Statistical Relationship

According to data from sources like Gaceta.es and The Objective, foreigners commit sensual crimes at 5.2 times the rate of Spaniards. Although they make up only 11.7% of the population, they are responsible for 41% of these crimes. This has sparked debate on the link between uncontrolled immigration and women’s safety, with polarized views: some see it as a key factor in the ranking drop, while others reject it as xenophobic, arguing the problem is structural.

Prostitution and Trafficking: The Figures Not in Headlines

Equality Minister Ana Redondo reported at least 114,576 women are in prostitution in Spain, with 80% at risk of trafficking for sensual exploitation. This reality contrasts with institutional campaigns and supports the view that official feminism has focused on symbolic laws while neglecting core issues.

What to Expect in the Short Term?

Indicators suggest no spontaneous recovery. The 'Only Yes is Yes' law reform has not reversed sentence reductions, and migration flows remain high. If the government does not address both public safety and integration policies, Spain is likely to continue losing positions in the coming years. However, as always, data can be interpreted variously: some believe the ranking measures perception, not reality, and that the drop is cyclical. Time will tell who was right.