Understanding Anti-Gender Campaigning: A 10 Steps Guide

1. Historical Context

The origins of anti-gender campaigning can be traced back to the historical context surrounding two pivotal United Nations conferences: the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Development and the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women. These conferences laid the foundation for a human rights and women's rights-based approach to development, introducing the concept of "sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights" (SRH and RR). However, while these conferences marked a victory for human rights and women's rights advocates, they also faced vehement opposition from conservative groups, including the Vatican.

2. Habemus 'GENDER Ideology'!

The term "gender ideology" first emerged in the late 1990s, primarily among Latin American and European Catholic thinkers. This concept was subsequently adopted by the Vatican hierarchy and elaborated upon in various Vatican documents in the early 2000s. In essence, "gender ideology" is a broad term used to describe anything deemed contrary to the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, though its definition remains deliberately vague.

3. Emergence of the Anti-Gender Movement

The anti-gender movement, as we know it today, identifies "gender ideology" as its common enemy, even though the term's meaning remains undefined. This movement has been spearheaded by a specific set of actors, including NGOs, think tanks, social media influencers, and political parties. Notably, this movement has seen significant growth and transformation in Europe over the past 12 years, with more recent emergence in Africa. Key features of the anti-gender movement include professionalization, trans-nationalization, and generational renewal. These characteristics have enabled it to effectively disseminate its message and influence policy at multiple levels.

The anti-gender movement, as we know it today, identifies "gender ideology" as its common enemy, even though the term's meaning remains undefined. (...) Notably, this movement has seen significant growth and transformation in Europe over the past 12 years, with more recent emergence in Africa.

4. Old Ideas - New Packaging

At the heart of anti-gender campaigning lies a set of old, patriarchal ideas, often grounded in religious doctrine. These ideas emphasize the sanctity of human dignity, the primacy of life, family values, and religious freedom. Human sexuality, according to this ideology, is strictly sanctioned for procreation within heterosexual unions. However, what sets anti-gender campaigning apart is its use of modern, human rights-based language and arguments, effectively "secularizing" these traditional ideas.

5. Old and New Targets

The anti-gender movement has targeted a wide array of issues, including sexual and reproductive rights, LGBTQI rights, children's rights, and gender-related legislation. This includes opposition to contraception, abortion, divorce, assisted reproduction, comprehensive sexuality education, and laws combating gender-based violence. Additionally, it opposes laws and policies aimed at curbing hate speech and discrimination, citing concerns about freedom of speech and religious freedom.

6. Funding

Anti-gender campaigning is well-financed, with a total budget of $707.2 million drawn from 54 different sources, including NGOs, foundations, religious organizations, and political parties. The funding sources are primarily from three geographic regions: the USA ($81.3 million), Russia ($188.2 million), and the EU ($437.7 million). Over the past decade, funding for anti-gender actors has quadrupled, supported by various means such as astroturfing/grassroots fundraising, contributions from social and economic elites, state funding, and religious networks.

At the heart of anti-gender campaigning lies a set of old, patriarchal ideas, often grounded in religious doctrine. These ideas emphasize the sanctity of human dignity, the primacy of life, family values, and religious freedom. Human sexuality, according to this ideology, is strictly sanctioned for procreation within heterosexual unions.

7. Anti-Gender's Diverse Reach

The anti-gender campaign has infiltrated various segments of society, including religious, civil society, political, and even state actors. It began with religious thinkers and has since extended to traditionalist Protestant communities and Orthodox Churches, such as the Russian, Romanian, and Serbian Orthodox Churches. In civil society, new NGOs have emerged, forming trans-national coalitions and collaborating with actors from the US and Russia. Politically, anti-gender sentiments have shifted from center-right Christian Democracy to older far-right groups (such as the Rassemblement National in France of La Lega in Italy) and emergent alt-right political parties (such as the AfD in Germany of Vox in Spain). Some of these parties have even gained power in countries like Poland and Italy. At the state level, anti-gender has become a tool to maintain the status quo, with countries like Hungary, Russia, and Turkey using it to solidify their national identities and challenge "Gayeuropa," a term used to criticize Europe for its human rights standards.

At the state level, anti-gender has become a tool to maintain the status quo, with countries like Hungary, Russia, and Turkey using it to solidify their national identities and challenge "Gayeuropa," a term used to criticize Europe for its human rights standards.

8. Conclusion: What Is Gender Ideology?

The term "gender ideology" serves multiple purposes within the anti-gender campaign. It acts as a normative "bogey-man" to discredit social progress that conflicts with religious teachings. It also reinforces traditional gender roles as a crucial component of reinvented national identity narratives. Furthermore, "gender ideology" provides a unifying framework for diverse groups with varying interests to unite against a common enemy. It has even evolved into a geopolitical litmus test, influencing international relations. Remarkably, "gender ideology" has taken on a life of its own, independently of its creators, becoming a formidable force in its right.

9. Key Lessons

Understanding the anti-gender campaign is crucial, as it is not merely a reaction to progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights or LGBTQI rights but part of a more extensive global effort toward "de-democratization". This form of campaigning is not limited to controversial issues like abortion or LGBTQI rights; it opposes a broad range of issues, including contraception, divorce, equality, and child rights. Additionally, it operates on both national and transnational fronts, with local and global partners. Engaging with this new generation of civil society activists against human rights requires preparation and strategic planning. Anti-gender actors are most successful when they are able to strike in ambush, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate its impact.

Understanding the anti-gender campaign is crucial, as it is not merely a reaction to progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights or LGBTQI rights but part of a more extensive global effort toward "de-democratization".