Experts are raising the alarm that women’s and LGBTQI+ rights that are increasingly being eroded across Europe, as they warn of a ‘rising onslaught’ of repression. The warning and call for progressive movements to build solidarities and overcome differences to help protect gender rights are published today in a new report from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
The report outlines that feminists and queer movements have for decades made progress towards gender equality but now they face an unprecedent convergence of right-wing and nationalist groups, religious groups, conservative organisations, and men’s online communities such as ‘incels’ attacking gender equality activists and the legislation they have fought for.
Interconnected movements against gender rights
These interconnected movements against gender rights receive three times more funding than feminist and queer movements (US$3.7 billion for the former compared to US$1.2 billion). This funding is directed at a growing network of thinktanks and organisations, including in Europe, Russia and the US, all promoting anti-feminist, anti-LGBTQI+ and anti-abortion agendas.
Attacks on abortion access and the erosion of legal protections for women in Europe have been particularly acute in recent years, including:
- In 2020, Poland’s right-wing party outlawed abortion in most cases.
- In 2021, President Erdoğan’ withdrew Turkey from the landmark Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
- In 2022, a UK government-organised multinational statement affirming commitment to the rights of women and girls was revised to remove references to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and bodily autonomy.
- In 2022, Hungary’s government tightened its abortion rules. Pregnant women must now listen to their fetus’ heartbeat before accessing an abortion.
- In 2024, Bulgaria introduced a controversial law banning “propaganda, promotion, or incitement” of LGBTQ+ “ideas and views” in schools.
Sohela Nazneen, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies and co-author of the report, said:
“We are concerned to see a rise in violence against women and a roll back of hard-won LGBTQ rights. We fear the recent election of Donald Trump and victory of many right-wing political parties in Europe may embolden a push back against women’s rights and gender equality agendas.
“Those of us who believe in gender equality have to come together, and work to resist this pushback at this critical juncture, to ensure a gender just future.”
Beyond Europe, women and LGBTQI+ rights are under threat globally, with many examples of progress on gender equality being undermined, including in the US, Uganda, Brazil, India and Afghanistan.
Building solidarities for gender equality
The report highlights the contrast between well-funded movements against gender equality and the significant tensions within feminist movements. It therefore argues that there is an urgent need to overcome these tensions and build solidarities for gender justice.
It suggests ways for building solidarities for gender equality, which include embracing diverse and marginalised perspectives; increasing appreciation for how gender intersects with other issues; building digital spaces of resistance; decolonising accepted ways of knowing, and in all cases, centring care and mutual understanding.
