Plenary Keynote: Feminist politics (and political science) in an age of backlash

Abstract

Speaker: Mona Lena Krook, Rutgers University Abstract: Feminist politics – and political science – are currently under attack around the world, as anti-gender actors target feminist politicians, policies, experts, and academics. Yet our community of researchers and practitioners has never been larger or more connected. Knowledge of gender has also never been more relevant for grasping the forces at the heart of contemporary politics. How do we protect our gains – and even make further advances in gender equality? In the face of backlash, we need to take action, both individually and collectively, to retain and defend the concept of gender, as well as to challenge patriarchy as a system of oppression. Anti-gender efforts to erase decades of research and activism are themselves a sign that this work has had a powerful and important impact on politics and society. Fighting back requires learning from the anti-gender playbook, while also remaining true to a radical and inclusive vision of feminist politics.