Spain as a Promoter of a Gender Approach in the Fight Against Impunity

Spain as a Promoter of a Gender Approach in the Fight Against Impunity: A Strategic Assessment from the Perspective of Global Justice

The project “Spain as a Promoter of a Gender Approach in the Fight Against Impunity: A Strategic Assessment from the Perspective of Global Justice” aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of Spain’s role as a key actor in promoting a gender perspective in the fight against impunity for international crimes. The objective of the project is to generate evidence, reflections, and recommendations that strengthen Spain’s contribution within the framework of its feminist foreign policy, multilateral commitment, and promotion of more inclusive global justice.

The applied research underpinning this project will combine detailed documentary analysis, review of diplomatic practices, interviews with key stakeholders, and a participatory validation process. In this way, a comprehensive assessment will be produced along with a set of strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing Spain’s international engagement in this area. The project’s findings will be presented at an in-person event in Madrid, bringing together institutional representatives, civil society members, diplomats, and experts in international justice and human rights.

A gender approach in the fight against impunity is a central issue in today’s global justice landscape. Although international criminal justice mechanisms have advanced in identifying and prosecuting crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide, women remain significantly underrepresented as victims, and gender-based violence continues to receive limited recognition as an integral component of these crimes. This situation is particularly critical in regions where national justice systems are unable or lack the political will to prosecute crimes related to sexual and gender-based violence.

The project addresses this issue from a critical perspective, emphasizing the need for a gender approach to be mainstreamed across all actions aimed at combating impunity. International justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other multilateral organizations that play a key role in promoting human rights, will be analyzed in depth. At the same time, the project highlights the importance of strengthening Spain’s foreign action to consolidate its leadership in adopting international policies with a gender perspective.

This initiative aligns with the objectives of Spain’s Foreign Action Strategy 2025–2028, which emphasizes the need to strengthen the multilateral system, reinforce the protection of human rights, and promote a feminist foreign policy. Global justice and the fight against impunity are fundamental elements of this commitment, and Spain has a unique opportunity to lead the integration of a gender perspective in international justice. The project seeks to generate critical debate on the most effective strategies to ensure that global justice policies are inclusive and address gender-based crimes effectively, protecting victims and ensuring their visibility in international proceedings.

The participation of key actors from academia, civil society, and international institutions is essential for the success of this initiative. Through a participatory and collaborative process, the project will collect proposals and develop recommendations that contribute to building a more equitable, inclusive international justice system, aligned with fundamental human rights principles and the feminist perspective guiding Spain’s foreign policy. In addition, it will help identify gaps and challenges in the international justice system and offer concrete solutions to improve the effectiveness of global justice mechanisms regarding sexual and gender-based violence.

The project will culminate with the preparation of a final report and its presentation at a public event in Madrid, serving as a dissemination platform to ensure that the formulated recommendations and proposals reach policymakers, international experts, academics, and civil society. In this way, the initiative will not only provide a strategic assessment and recommendations but also enhance the visibility of Spain’s feminist foreign policy and its commitment to a more inclusive and effective global justice system.

Project co-funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, through the Secretariat of State for Foreign and Global Affairs.