Brussels Conference: Counter Anti-Feminism & Gender Backlash in Europe, Brussels, Belgium

As Europe faces shifting political dynamics, anti-feminist and anti-democratic movements are increasingly challenging the progress made on gender equality and human rights. These developments not only undermine democratic societies but also threaten core values of equality and social justice across the continent.

To address these critical issues, Gender Five Plus will host the in-person conference "Countering Anti-Feminism: Gender Backlash & Democratic Pushback in Europe" on December 12th, 2024, at the European Economic and Social Committee, Rue Belliard 99/101, 1040 Brussels, Belgium. The event will gather leading experts, policymakers, and activists from across Europe to strategize and share insights on countering the rise of anti-gender movements.

As Europe’s first feminist think tank, Gender Five Plus has led the charge in analyzing and addressing these challenges. This conference is part of our work under the EU Horizon project "PUSHBACKLASH," coordinated by the University of Salzburg, which aims to assess and counteract anti-feminist discourse from a global feminist perspective.

Conference Highlights and Confirmed Speakers:

• Keynote Speakers:
  • José Antonio Moreno (EESC) will open the event, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to gender equality.
  • Agnès Hubert, President of Gender Five Plus, will discuss the impact of anti-gender movements on democratic institutions in Europe.
• Presentation of the PushBackLash Project:
  Zoe Lefkofridi, Professor at the University of Salzburg and project lead, will introduce this EU-funded project’s goals and initial findings.
• Panel on Pushback Strategies:
  • Valentina Maglietta, Policy Officer at Gender Five Plus, will address strategies for countering anti-feminism across Europe.
• Plenary Reports (11:30) on Topics Including:
  • Dynamics of Contestation on Gender and Sexuality Issues
  • Citizens' Views on Gender Equality and Democracy
  • Online Anti-Gender Equality Mobilizations and Counter Strategies
  • Intersectional Inequalities: Political Discourse and the Impact of Covid
• Moderators: Nadia Brown (Rutgers University) and Magda Szarota (ONE.pl).
• Dialogue with EU Institutions (14:00):
  A discussion on EU responses to gender backlash, featuring:
  • Katja Reppel, Head of Unit for Democracy, Equality, and Culture, European Commission
  • Lina Gálvez Muñoz, MEP and Chair of the Women’s Rights Committee
  • Evelyn Regner, MEP (S&D Group)
• Panel with Key Stakeholders (16:00):
  Liza Mügge (University of Amsterdam) will moderate discussions on gender, social justice, and advocacy, featuring:
  • Mary Collins, European Women’s Lobby
  • Caroline Naughton, European Disability Forum
  • Camille Butin, IPPF Advocacy Advisor

The conference aims to provide a platform for discussing new research, sharing best practices, and exploring effective counter-strategies to address the growing influence of anti-gender movements in Europe.

For more details:
Please feel free to reach out to the PushBackLash Team at Gender Five Plus or visit our project website for additional information: PushBackLash.eu.