The former housing minister, Carme Chacon, one of the rising stars of Spain's Socialist party, becomes its first ever female defence minister.
While there are five new faces overall, several key members of his last cabinet remain in place.
Mr Zapatero's Socialist party won re-election last month.
"I feel very proud that there are more women ministers than men," Mr Zapatero said, after being sworn in by King Juan Carlos.
Slumping economy
Nine of the ministers are women, and eight are men; when the prime minister is included, the cabinet is equally divided by gender.
Although Mr Zapatero opted for continuity in several key portfolios - including foreign affairs, the economy and the interior - he also created an equality ministry, headed by a woman, Bibiana Aido, 31.
At his inaugural news conference, Mr Zapatero said she was the youngest minister Spain had had.
Mr Zapatero also reappointed Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, a mainstay of his previous government, as deputy prime minister.
Lawmakers had approved his reappointment as government leader on Friday, formally handing him the challenges of a slumping economy and resurgent Basque militants.
He also will have to continue to govern without an absolute majority in parliament.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7344383.stm
1 comment:
Nice example of a country were men aren't threaten by smart women. While here in the US if a smart qualified woman dares to try and reach the top she's called hateful names and even other woman put her down. Spain will recover from their Economy problem and do very well. Now young woman can look to be treated equally. Maybe McCain or Obama can ask the Spain President to teach the United States about Woman's Rights. There might be a big shock to American men after watching the disgraceful display of the Wal Mart Executive meetings for 15 years.
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