Inhalt: "As a consequence of profound changes produced by the recent legal reform on the system of Higher Education (HE) in Spain, the academic profession is facing significant new challenges. In December 2001, the Conservative government, despite massive opposition from many sectors of Spanish society, passed a new law to reform the university sector. The Ley Orgánica de Universidades (LOU), among another modifications, incorporates changes in the structure of academic posts and embraces the inclusion of a national habilitation. The implementation of the latter, already in force in European countries such as France or Germany, aims to correct the procedures of selection and promotion, perceived to be biased by the academic endogamy. Thus, the ultimate goal of the reform is to eliminate a longlasting endogamy, the cancer of the system. This paper gives a brief account of the newly implemented measures, outlining its nature and relevance in pursuing the ultimate objective. Moreover, through a qualitative analysis, a number of themes emerge when assessing the crucial 'weakness' of the system and the appropriateness of the newly implemented procedures for selection and promotion. Finally, the opportunity contexts are also discussed to identify not only the specific gender obstacles but also the recommendations suggested to attain a truly meritocratic and equalitarian modus operandi within the system of appointments at Spanish universities." (author's abstract)