Feminist movement and institutional responses to antigender antidemocratic forces in Europe (Panel 2 of Double Panel)

Abstract

Democracy in Europe faces challenges connected to legacies of colonialism, fascism, communism, and capitalism, but also new challenges related to the opposition against gender and LGBTI equality policies coming both from antigender movements and far right populist parties. Whilst literature has mostly studied antigender and radical right populist opposition against gender equality policies, this panel is interested in addressing feminist responses to such opposition, both theoretically and empirically. The rationale behind this interest is that feminist politics is understood as a key democratizing force for societies and institutions. The aim of this panel -based on research developed as part of the European CCINDLE project- is to identify the articulation of feminist responses in both movements and institutions in different European countries. The panel also aims at assessing how intersectionally inclusive feminist institutional responses are, exploring what factors enable and constrain them. We understand parliaments as the arenas where feminist institutional responses unfold in reaction to antigender antidemocratic forces. Questions debated will include: How do anti-gender forces in both movement and institutions articulate opposition against gender equality and LGBTI rights? What feminist responses are articulated in both movements and parliamentary arenas to react to antigender antidemocratic discourses and practices? Do these responses counteract racist and LGTBIphobic discourses? Do feminist institutional also envision more equal and democratic institutions and societies? Considering (some of) these questions, the panel aims at discussing the relation between feminist politics and democracy in times of antigender politics, seeking to understand the opportunities/challenges that the politicization of gender equality entails for deepening the quality of democracy in European institutions and societies. Panel 1 includes the following papers/cases: 1–Hungary 2–Spain 3–EP 4–Belgium Panel 2 includes the following papers/cases: 5–Poland 6–Sweden 7–Italy 8–Spain (by Laura Arranz) Please assess this double panel as one panel, thank you.

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