EU researchers tackle pushback against gender equality in politics and society
Source: Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine
or Zoe Lefkofridi, a professor of politics and gender at the University of Salzburg in Austria, there cannot be real democracy without gender equality. But past progress cannot be taken for granted. Despite significant steps in Europe towards gender equality, opposition seems to be on the rise.
“The EU has been a pioneer in promoting women’s rights, especially concerning employment,” said Lefkofridi. “However, we’re observing worrisome developments in certain EU countries, as well as the US.”
Lefkofridi is leading an EU-funded research initiative called PushBackLash, which looks into various aspects of gender equality problems and seeks practical solutions.
It was set up in 2023 to try to understand the motivations, strategies and tactics used by those campaigning against gender equality initiatives. The researchers are also trying to get a better understanding of where the public stands on these issues.
Dr Vera Beloshitzkaya, an expert on gender and politics on the team, said the most obvious example of backlash against gender equality can be seen in changing political rhetoric, with anti-feminist narratives becoming more mainstream.
“Backlash can also occur at the policy level, where more inclusive policies face resistance, or in people's attitudes. However, the key question is always: what is the starting point? To really say there’s a backlash, we need to understand where we were, where we are today, and where we’re heading.”
Read here the full article published by Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine on 26 September 2024.
Image credits: Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine
or Zoe Lefkofridi, a professor of politics and gender at the University of Salzburg in Austria, there cannot be real democracy without gender equality. But past progress cannot be taken for granted. Despite significant steps in Europe towards gender equality, opposition seems to be on the rise.
“The EU has been a pioneer in promoting women’s rights, especially concerning employment,” said Lefkofridi. “However, we’re observing worrisome developments in certain EU countries, as well as the US.”
Lefkofridi is leading an EU-funded research initiative called PushBackLash, which looks into various aspects of gender equality problems and seeks practical solutions.
It was set up in 2023 to try to understand the motivations, strategies and tactics used by those campaigning against gender equality initiatives. The researchers are also trying to get a better understanding of where the public stands on these issues.
Dr Vera Beloshitzkaya, an expert on gender and politics on the team, said the most obvious example of backlash against gender equality can be seen in changing political rhetoric, with anti-feminist narratives becoming more mainstream.
“Backlash can also occur at the policy level, where more inclusive policies face resistance, or in people's attitudes. However, the key question is always: what is the starting point? To really say there’s a backlash, we need to understand where we were, where we are today, and where we’re heading.”
Read here the full article published by Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine on 26 September 2024.
Image credits: Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine
