In this episode, UNRISD Director Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona speaks with Dr Ayesha Khan, Senior Research Fellow at ODI Global, a leading global affairs think tank, who specialises in the global backlash against gender equality. They discuss how patriarchal norms fuel this conservative phenomenon, linking anti-feminist movements to broader anti-rights agendas affecting, amongst others, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive health, and democracy.

Dr Khan highlights the growing influence of religious groups, their financial backing, and how these forces shape policies across the global South. The conversation considers a wide range of affected regions, including Latin America, Africa and Central Asia. Ayesha also explores the role of US politics, particularly the resurgence of anti-gender policies, and the funding crisis threatening feminist movements worldwide.

The exchange underscores the urgent need for global feminist alliances, grassroots engagement, and stronger multilateral support to counteract these setbacks and defend inclusive social progress.

Further reading

Khan, A., Tant, E., Harper, C. 2023. Facing the backlash: what is fuelling anti-feminist and antidemocratic forces? ALIGN Framing paper. London: ODI.

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