Many have criticised her for "hijacking feminism", to the extent that the feminist movement became subservient to the ministry.
"She followed a pattern that sounds like enlightened despotism. The ministry said: 'This is what really protects women. This is what we should really do with transgender people. This is what is authentic, this is what is progressive and this is what we are going to impose," Fernando Vallespín, professor of political science at the Autonomous University of Madrid, told Euronews.
"It wasn't necessary for Irene Montero to be there for feminist advances to be consolidated under a progressive government. It seems to me very questionable that she was so fundamental for women's rights".
"But what she has really worked for is the inclusion of all LGTBI people, especially transsexuals, as part of feminist rights. A qualitative leap that is not without risk," he adds.