This paper contributes to the strand “Debates and policy processes on gender issues” by examining the evolution of gender mainstreaming and intersectionality in Spanish media policies, with an emphasis on the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence (GBV). Building on global debates on gender mainstreaming and the literature on collaborative governance, it examines Spain’s transposition of UN policies on the role of the media in relation to GBV and gender equality, alongside key media self-regulatory instruments. Finally, it examines the HODIO initiative, launched in 2026 by the government of Pedro Sánchez to monitor polarizing discourse through an intersectional approach. The causes and objectives of the initiative, as well as the resulting social debate, are explored.

The findings show that, although Spain ranks among countries with relatively favourable gender mainstreaming indicators, its regulatory development in the media sector remains insufficient, particularly in addressing women’s harassment and humiliation, the circulation of intimate content and violent sexual deepfakes, and the influence of addictive algorithms on digital platforms. The paper argues for promoting collaborative governance and integrated thinking between fields such as media, gender, inclusion, health, and education, as intended by HODIO, whose impact and social acceptance will be analysed in future research.