Anti-gender Backlash & Democratic Pushback

The goal of PUSH*BACK*LASH is twofold:
(1) Firstly, to systematically inquire into the present-day contestation of EU gender equality issues and policies at both elite and citizen levels. For this purpose, we employ a rigorous, comparative, multi-methods design that enables: (a) identifying anti-gender strategies as well as best practices in counter-acting them across space and time; and (b) assessing the effects of anti-gender discourses on party systems, non-state actors, and the public opinion in countries that score differently on the Gender Equality Index (GEI), belong to different EU regions (north, south, west, east), and joined the EU at different points in time.
Secondly, to (2) develop and test strategies that can effectively counteract anti-gender and anti-feminist discursive strategies. Aiming at supporting the quality of democratic governance in more inclusive European societies, we acknowledge intersections between gender and other social categories at all stages of the project (theory formulation, empirical investigation, and policy recommendations) and thus engage with stakeholders (policy makers, interest groups, citizens). To develop sustainable solutions, we bring together gender activists, EU experts and researchers from several fields of political science (political theory, public policy, political parties, public opinion, political behavior), anthropology, communication and media, sociology and social psychology. PUSH*BACK*LASH is a transdisciplinary, gender diverse consortium aiming at equipping pro-equality actors with practical tools for responding to anti-gender equality and anti-feminist discursive strategies and backlash tactics.