Politics · Spain · 1 day ago
Spain received complaints about activities funded by gender-violence funds
Spain’s government says it received complaints between 2021 and 2025 about activities paid for with funds from its State Pact against Gender Violence.
The activities named included laughter therapy, crochet, yoga, chocolate tastings and other local events.
The complaints were raised in response to questions from the Vox party about possible misuse of the funds.
The government says it checks complaints by asking local authorities for information to see whether activities fit the funds’ purpose.
It says this process is for oversight and verification, not punishment, and that activities outside the pact’s purpose are not funded.
Since 2024, the Equality Ministry has strengthened checks, published guidance for municipalities and offered technical advice and training.
It has also increased reviews of spending records and can ask local authorities to correct problems.
The Spanish government received complaints from 2021 to 2025 about activities funded by the State Pact against Gender Violence.
The activities mentioned included laughter therapy, raggaeton, crochet, yoga, chocolate tasting and a flamenco discussion.
The complaints were raised in a written parliamentary response to questions from the Vox party about alleged irregularities in the use of the funds.
The government said its review is for control and verification, not to impose sanctions.
Since 2024, the Equality Ministry has strengthened checks and guidance for local authorities using the funds.
- Who
- The Spanish government received the complaints; Vox asked about alleged irregularities.
- What
- Complaints concerned activities funded by the State Pact against Gender Violence. The government described its reviews as administrative checks, not sanctions.
- When
- The complaints covered 2021 to 2025.
- Where
- Spain; the activities were funded through local entities.
- Why
- Vox sought information about alleged irregularities and the oversight of public funds.
Vox
Spanish government
Transparency and oversight
Vox
Vox asked for details of complaints, resulting proceedings and the mechanisms used to prevent irregularities.
Spanish government
The government said it reviews complaints to check that funds serve the Pact’s purposes and described the process as non-punitive.
These actions are not of a punitive nature, but rather for control and verification that the funds are used for their intended purpose.
If they are not linked to the State Pact against Gender Violence, they are not funded.
The government received complaints about activities funded by the State Pact against Gender Violence.
The Equality Ministry strengthened oversight and follow-up of how local entities use the funds.
The government presented a guide on the proper use of the renewed State Pact funds.
- Complaint period
- 2021–2025
- Activities cited
- Laughter therapy, raggaeton, crochet, yoga and chocolate tasting
- Guide date
- 7 May 2025
- Municipalities reached
- 7,880
- Oversight approach
- Control and verification, not sanctions
Sources
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