The anti-gender movement could erase progress women and girls have made over the last few decades. While some regions have also advanced LGBTQ+ rights and protections, a concerning backlash is emerging globally.

From America to Africa, there are mounting attacks on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ protections.

Researchers call this the “anti-gender movement” – a threat to women’s rights, gender diversity, and democratic values.

What is the anti-gender movement?

The anti-gender or anti-rights movement opposes what they term “gender ideology” or “gender theory.”

While these terms lack clear definitions, these movements consistently oppose LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, gender education in schools, and the concept of gender itself.

A 2020 UN Human Rights report identifies three key groups driving these movements: governments, religious organisations, and civil society groups. They have formed alliances with shared goals.

These groups generally view “gender” as a threat to social structures, believing only traditional male-headed nuclear families are moral and legitimate.

The movement connects to global political shifts towards right-wing populism. As Hungarian historian Andrea Pető notes, this represents a new nationalist, neoconservative response rather than traditional anti-feminism.

Politicians increasingly use anti-gender rhetoric. For instance, Donald Trump now campaigns against “gender ideology” despite previously supporting transgender rights.

The movement’s growing influence worldwide threatens both advancing and maintaining human rights protections.

Let’s examine key countries where anti-gender movements have gained significant ground:

In the US, the 2022 Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade ended decades of constitutional abortion protection.

Simultaneously, 2023 saw a record 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures, with 84 becoming law across 23 states.

“Anti-gender movements align with global shifts from liberal democracy towards right-wing populism.”

In Turkey, President Erdoğan’s coalition won the 2023 elections using strong anti-gender rhetoric, declaring opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and promoting “traditional family values.” Turkey had already withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention on gender-based violence in 2021.

Ghana’s parliament recently passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, criminalising LGBTQ+ relationships and advocacy. UNAIDS warns this will restrict freedoms and hinder development progress.

In India, anti-gender sentiment links closely with Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) movements. They support traditional gender roles by urging women to prioritize motherhood for the growth of the Hindu population. They idealise patriarchal structures as part of India’s “golden past.”

When and where did the anti-gender movement begin?

The movement emerged in the early 1990s, responding to UN conferences that advanced gender equality recognition and sexual and reproductive rights.

The anti-gender movement’s concept of “family” stems from colonial English and European ideals of the heterosexual nuclear family as society’s foundation.

The Catholic Church first raised gender concerns in the early 2000s, claiming “violent attacks on the family” through same-sex marriage and abortion laws.

Pope John Paul II warned against “misleading concepts of sexuality” driven by “gender ideologies.” This birthed the term “gender ideology,” which conservative groups began using to oppose LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights and gender equality.

Anti-gender protests later spread across Europe, initially mobilised by the Catholic Church. Pope Francis, despite his softer stance on gay people, declared gender ideology “the ugliest danger” at a Vatican conference. He stating that “erasing differences means erasing humanity.”

Today, anti-gender actors use “gender” to target everything from gender studies to protections for transgender people, domestic violence survivors, and women generally.

The Association of Women in Development notes this concept now attacks various progressive causes, including environmental issues.

How does the anti-gender movement push its agenda?

The movement operates through three overlapping approaches: nationalist, religious and political. In nationalist arguments, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights are often branded as foreign imports.

For instance, in China, feminist ideas face criticism as “unpatriotic,” while in Kyrgyzstan, nationalists oppose “Western values.”

Religious arguments stem from conservative interpretations promoting strict gender norms.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, Coldplay’s 2023 concerts faced backlash from Islamic groups. Indonesia’s top Islamic scholars claimed the band promoted LGBTQ+ rights, with protesters outside their Jakarta concert claiming they harmed “faith and morals.”

Malaysian organisers even prepared a “kill switch” for potential moral offences.

Conservative politicians use anti-gender groups to spread exaggerated fears. For instance, Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro baselessly accused his opponent of creating “gay kits” for schools and claimed teachers were “indoctrinating” children.

While tactics vary regionally, these movements are highly networked. The US-based World Congress of Families, called a major “hate exporter,” has connected “pro-family” groups across cities like Mexico City, Tbilisi and Geneva since 1997.

Who funds the anti-gender movement?

The movement receives transnational funding from ultra-conservative donors, religious institutions, businesses and state-funded bodies. US organisations significantly fund global anti-gender movements.

The Global Philanthropy Project found 11 US groups channelled over $1 billion overseas against LGBTQ+ and women’s rights between 2008-2017 – likely an underestimate.

Not all anti-rights funding intentionally supports their agenda. CNN As Equals reports that US and German aid has gone to religious organisations in Ghana backing the new anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed on 28 February.

What impact is the anti-gender movement having on human rights and democracy?

From Peru to Russia, women’s and LGBTQ+ activists face increasing criminalisation, attacks and even death for their work. A 2023 survey by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation found 25% of activists across 67 countries received death threats, with 58% citing their governments as the source.

These attacks create fear, limiting activism and deterring citizens from advocating for rights. New laws actively restrict speech.

Indonesia’s 2022 Criminal Code limits contraception information for under-18s to “permitted authorities” only. India faces similar challenges with social media filters restricting sexual health content.

Scholar Judith Butler argues these movements represent fascist trends supporting authoritarian governments, often merging with anti-migrant sentiment and Islamophobia.

How is the anti-gender movement being resisted?

Despite challenges, feminist movements globally continue building strategies to advance rights. As OURs notes, many feminist movements themselves inspired anti.

While activists worldwide resist anti-gender ideology, human rights defenders still face regular threats and violence.

See funding for LGBTIQ work in Botswana, Namibia, Madagascar and Mauritius here. 

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How to tackle the rise of the anti-gender movement