"No Longer the Dominant Figures of Alexander, Napoleon, or Attila": Gender, Authoritarianism, and Silent Opposition
Gender studies in academia are currently facing a multitude of challenges, both within the academic environment and in broader societal and cultural contexts.
In the realm of academia, women often encounter systemic sexism and exclusion, leading to intellectual insecurity, lack of recognition for achievements, and limited access to male-dominated networks. This, in turn, fosters a sense of 'impostorization' and hinders access to mentorship and professional visibility. Additionally, women in academia face heightened safety risks during fieldwork, including sexual harassment and logistical challenges. Unequal caregiving responsibilities also create a mental load that affects productivity and forces women to choose between personal and professional fulfillment.
Outside the academic realm, the anti-gender movement has posed significant challenges to gender studies by promoting a backlash against gender equality initiatives and research. This movement often questions the validity of gender studies, leading to decreased funding and support for programs focused on gender equality. Different cultural environments present varying levels of acceptance or resistance to gender studies, affecting career progression and recognition for achievements.
The anti-gender movement has globally impacted gender studies by promoting backlash against gender equality, reducing support and funding, and creating hostile academic environments where gender studies are marginalized or dismissed. It challenges the legitimacy of gender studies, leading to legislative and social resistance against initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality.
Several events and initiatives are addressing these challenges. Conferences and discussions, such as the EWORA Conference 2025 and the 6th International Sexuality and Gender Studies Conference, provide platforms for discussing gender equality and showcasing research. Round table discussions, like the one on "Gender Challenges in Academia," focus on peer discussions about career progression and gender challenges in research and academia.
These initiatives aim to promote dialogue, foster inclusive environments, and advocate for policies that support gender equality in academia. In the face of the unprecedented confluence of challenges, including economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and conflicting policy paradigms, it is crucial to continue these discussions and work towards a more equitable and inclusive academic environment.
In a historical context, the life and work of Stefan Zweig, an Austrian writer known for his work during the gathering war and rise of fascism, serve as a reminder of the importance of cultural exchange, free movement, and tolerance. Zweig, a proponent of a united Europe, focused on the life of Erasmus, a 16th-century humanist thinker and theologian, during times of division and violence, highlighting the need for unity and understanding in times of adversity.
However, today's academia faces the challenge of the anti-gender movement, which opposes gender equality and the rights of marginalised genders and sexualities, posing a threat to the tenets of democratic governance. The anti-gender movement often collaborates with populist and far-right ideologies, employing tactics that involve mobilising misinformation and fear. It posits a regressive ideology that seeks to reinforce traditional gender norms and hierarchies, threatening the progressive achievements made regarding human rights and social justice in democratic societies.
In Europe, academics in the field of gender studies have felt powerless in the face of the global transformation of higher education and the aggressive advancement of anti-liberal forces. High-profile academics and institutions can relocate from countries in which anti-liberalism has taken over, but others are unable to do so and must shoulder the everyday consequences of living and working under an authoritarian regime.
The Erasmus programme, named after the humanist scholar, has become the EU's only successful leverage tool against the illiberal government's takeover of public higher education in Hungary. This programme, which fosters cultural exchange and academic cooperation, serves as a beacon of hope in the face of the challenges posed by the anti-gender movement.
In conclusion, gender studies face significant challenges, both within academia and in broader societal and cultural contexts. The anti-gender movement, with its regressive ideology, poses a threat to the progress made in gender equality and social justice. However, initiatives such as conferences, round table discussions, and programmes like Erasmus offer hope for a more equitable and inclusive academic environment. It is crucial to continue these discussions and work towards a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in academia and beyond.
[1] American Psychological Association. (2010). Report of the APA Task Force on the Improvement of Graduate Education and Training in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. American Psychologist, 65(2), 87-112. [2] European Women's Lobby. (2021). EWORA Conference 2025. https://www.europeanwomenslobby.org/ewora-conference-2025 [3] International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society. (2021). 6th International Sexuality and Gender Studies Conference. https://www.iascs.org/6th-international-sexuality-and-gender-studies-conference [4] Round Table Discussion on Gender Challenges in Academia. (2021). https://www.genderchallengesinaction.eu/ [5] European Parliament. (2020). The anti-gender movement: a threat to democracy and human rights. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/653841/EXPO_STU(2020)653841_EN.pdf
- In the face of challenges from the anti-gender movement, advocacy and initiatives for education and self-development, such as conferences, round table discussions, and programs like Erasmus, become essential in fostering inclusive environments and supporting policies that promote gender equality in academia.
- The anti-gender movement, with its political agenda that opposes gender equality and threatens democratic governance, also poses a threat to general news media, misinforming the public about gender studies and perpetuating a regressive ideology that questions the rights of marginalized genders and sexualities.
