On March 18, 2017, an unwelcome kiss by King Felipe VI of Spain opened a window into the country’s persistent machismo culture. The kiss occurred when the king visited the Mexican actress Angelica Vale during a charity event in Mexico City. After the event, a picture of the kiss made its rounds on social media, sending shock waves throughout Spain.
The incident shed light on the traditional gender roles of Spanish society, where women are expected to be submissive to men and accept unwanted advances. Social media users expressed their outrage at the event, calling out the king’s behavior as disrespectful and out of line.
In response to the incident, the Permanent Council of the Audiencia Nacional of Spain launched a campaign to combat gender violence, and the Council of Ministers added an additional €240 million to programmes dedicated to victims of violence.
The incident was an important reminder that sexism and machismo are still deeply entrenched in Spanish society. It is a reminder that Spain still has a long way to go when it comes to gender equality.
