Overcoming the backlash

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and the Gunda Werner Institute are pleased to invite you to a discussion on the backlash against gender equality movements in the EU. The gender and equality policies of the EU have been a success story for several decades. The gender mainstreaming strategy and many anti-discrimination directives set the framework for human rights-based and participatory policies. Undeniably, a lot of progress has been made, but this progress is far from being a reason for complacency. 

Not a single EU country is even close to achieving full gender equality. Moreover, right-wing populist movements have developed throughout Europe and have been mobilising against gender politics and sexual self-determination in recent years. The increase in hostility towards gender, gender equality and feminism is closely correlated to the rise of far-right and right-wing populist forces. We would like to discuss why feminism and gender serve as negative projection screens within society and how feminist movements in the EU can fight the right-wing backlash.
 

Agenda

6.30 - 6.45 p.m.  

Registration

6.45 – 7.00 p.m.    

Welcome and opening remarks by
Ines Kappert, Head of Gunda Werner Institute

7.00 – 8.00 p.m.  

Discussion with

• Terry Reintke, Member of the European Parliament for the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance 
• Neil Datta, European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights, Brussels
• Judith Goetz, Political Scientist and Activist, University Vienna
• Andrea Pető, Department of Gender Studies, Central European University, Budapest

Moderation by Eva van de Rakt, Head of Office Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union

8.00 – 08.30 p.m.

Light networking dinner

Working language: English