On Tuesday, 6 December 2022 from 15:00 to 16:00 CET, the European Movement International held a joint online event with European Women’s Lobby entitled “The threat of anti-gender movements in Europe“, as part of the seventh edition of the Women of Europe Awards and as part of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.

As ultra-conservative, far-right political movements seize power around the world, we are witnessing a concerted attack against hard-won rights for women.  

Both in the US, but also in Europe where in countries like Spain, Poland, and Italy, access to abortion is compromised, women’s reproductive rights are at the centre of this debate, which is used as an excuse to exert power over women and assault their rights. 
 
This trend has been in the making for a while, supported by a global network of extreme-right think-tanks and campaigners, strategically organized and coordinated, and transnationally financed. Their rhetoric and narratives has proliferated on-line, with the use of social media platforms as megaphones for the promotion of anti-gender messages. 

This event reflected on how anti-gender movements use online tools to organize internally, get funding, recruit supporters and spread disinformation, anti-women rights narratives, and harmful gender stereotypes. 

The panel featured:

• Asha Allen, Advocacy Director, Online Expression & Civic Space, Center for Democracy & Technology;
• Kim van Sparrentak MEP, (Greens/EFA), European Parliament;
• Matthew MacWilliams, Comms Hub Public Opinion Strategist;
• Irene Donadio, Senior Lead, Strategy and Partnership, IPPF European Network

Moderated by Petros Fassoulas, Secretary-General of the European Movement International

The event was live on our Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

We encourage you to follow the event organisers @EMInternational & @EuropeanWomen and join the discussions on Twitter using the hashtag #WomenofEurope.