Welcome to a seminar with Andrea Pető (Central European University) and Haley McEwen (Political Science, University of Gothenburg). The seminar is organised by the research networks FEMSEM and MERGU.
Over the past decade, scholars and civil society have increasingly grappled with the threat of anti-gender mobilization for gender equality, reproductive rights, and LGBTIQ+ rights. Increasingly, governments are also recognizing that anti-gender politics are threatening efforts to maintain gender equality and gender mainstreaming as norms. The Council of Europe is developing a strategy to understand anti-gender rhetoric and promote gender equality through positive narratives and activities. In addition to recognizing the threat of anti-gender mobilization within governments, this initiative demonstrates the importance, and complexities, of cooperation between academics and political actors.
In this seminar, Andrea Pető (CEU) and Haley McEwen (GU), who served as experts in the Council of Europe initiative, will share the report's insights with special emphasis on how gender studies and academia are key targets of illiberal actors.