Spain's government looks to reshape what it means to 'have balls'

Spain's Ministry of Equality has launched an awareness campaign aimed at reshaping the use of 'balls' in language, arguing that its usage is overly macho.

The campaign is aimed at society as a whole, but especially at young men "who have bought into the reactionary and denialist wave" on equality, according to Equality Minister Ana Redondo.

The expression 'tener huevos' (literally to 'have eggs' but best translated as 'to have balls') and other testicle-themed idioms are "loaded with force, domination, violence and irrational and stale testosterone," Redondo said.

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In the government-funded video, actor Paco León asks: "Let's talk about balls... What does it mean to have balls? 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."

But rather than being anti-men, the Ministry hopes reshaping the use of ball-based expressions can be a positive for everyone.

The Secretary of State for Equality, María Guijarro, pointed out at the campaign presentation that it has "a liberating message for men themselves" who by society are "taught to occupy certain roles, certain hierarchies, to have balls."

That's why the ministry is intent on "changing the meaning" of 'having balls' to more inclusive and positive interpretations.

"They can break away from what they have been told since childhood, that they have to be macho and that they have to have balls, and perhaps having balls is not about imposing oneself without respect, but rather rethinking, transforming one's mentality, questioning oneself and ultimately changing," Guijarro said.

The Ministry views this redefinition as necessary in light of "worrying data" such as that from the latest Juventud 2024 study, which points to a decline in support for equality "from 70-50 percent of young men" polled. Anti-feminist social media content and influencers are growing in popularity among young Spanish men, as they are around the world.

"Without them, we cannot move forward," Redondo said.

Huevos is one of several Spanish slang words for testículos (testicles), a list which also includes cojones, pelotas (balls) or bolas (bowls).

"Por huevos", the title of the campaign, is also a common expression in Spanish, meaning for sure or definitely. For example, voy a ayudarte por huevos (I'm definitely going to help you).

Talking of balls or testicles in Spanish is incredibly common in everyday conversation. Some women already say 'tener ovarios' (to have ovaries) to denote the same meaning of bravery and bravado.

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