Spain Reclaims ‘Balls’: A Campaign for Equality

The Campaign: Redefining Courage

Faced with a growing trend of young Spanish men expressing less belief in equality, the Spanish government has launched an awareness campaign to reclaim the meaning of “tener cojones” – literally “to have balls,” but commonly translated as “to have guts” or “to be brave.”

Spain’s Ministry of Equality argues that the expression, and other testicle-themed idioms, are “loaded with force, domination, violence and irrational and stale testosterone,” according to Equality Minister Ana Redondo. The campaign seeks to reshape its usage, moving away from these traditionally macho connotations.

What Does it Mean to ‘Have Balls’ Now?

The government-funded video features actor Paco León posing the question: “Let’s talk about balls… What does it mean to have balls?” He then offers examples of modern courage, stating, “one way to have balls is to go shopping or make a Spanish omelette or dare to tell your colleague that if he sends another photo of that woman, you’ll report him. Having balls means doing the right thing.”

This shift in perspective aims to demonstrate that courage isn’t limited to traditionally masculine displays of strength or risk-taking. It can be found in everyday acts of kindness, responsibility, and standing up for what’s right.

Liberating Men from Traditional Roles

The Ministry emphasizes that this campaign isn’t anti-men. Secretary of State for Equality, María Guijarro, highlighted the “liberating message for men themselves,” who are often “taught to occupy certain roles, certain hierarchies, to have balls.”

The intent is to “change the meaning” of ‘having balls’ to be more inclusive and positive, freeing men from the constraints of traditional masculinity and allowing them to express themselves in a wider range of ways.

The Versatility of ‘Cojones’

The Spanish word “cojones” (testicles) is remarkably versatile, used in a wide range of expressions beyond simply denoting courage. As explored in The Local, it can express everything from annoyance to admiration, making its redefinition a significant cultural undertaking.