From Benign Neglect to Threat: The Rise of Populism and Mobilisation on Gender Equality in the European Union

This paper explores patterns of transnational mobilization on women’s interests in Europe at a time of increasing populism. Critics of radical right populist movements point to their attack on women’s rights (Emejulu,2016; Fraser,2016) . Assessments of gender equality as an EU policy issue have also confirmed its decline as a priority (Elomaki,2015). Left wing populism in turn has provided little space for women’s interests (Dean, Keith and Maiguashca, 2016) . This research explores how women’s rights organisations at national and transnational level are responding to increasing threats and diminished opportunities attendant to the rise of populism. I will explore how women’s interests are constructed by organisations including the European Women’s Lobby, with a view to patterns of inclusion, exclusion and legitimacy in terms of representation and assess the relevance of EU level actors and initiatives including the proposed social pillar for mobilization on women’s rights .