Resilient Voices: Defending Women’s Rights against Pushback

In recent years, there has been an alarming global rise in attacks on women’s rights. Across various regions, illiberal and authoritarian movements have increasingly targeted women’s autonomy, using it as a battleground for political gain. This pushback comes in various forms, including restrictions on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), on citizen’s rights including democratic participation and on economic rights, aiming to maintain traditional gender roles. Such trends are not only threatening individual freedoms and eroding the progress made in gender equality and public health, they also threaten diverse and pluralistic societies and the stability of democracies in general. This global pushback against women’s rights is further compounded by intersecting crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, and economic instability, which have disproportionately impacted women and marginalized groups. In this context, defending and advancing women’s rights is not just a health or gender issue — it is a fight for human rights, democracy, and social justice. This side event aims to address these challenges head-on, advocating for a feminist foreign policy approach that prioritizes the protection and promotion of women’s rights worldwide.

💬 Discussion & Exchange: This event will give activists from various regions and backgrounds room to share their experiences in combating the increasing pushback against women’s rights. It aims to spotlight the crucial role of civil society movements in addressing and curbing this pushback and raise awareness of the escalating attacks on women’s rights. The event will foster a deeper understanding of these challenges and mobilize international support for feminist foreign policy approaches. It will serve as a platform for connecting and networking among policymakers, activists, and experts, enabling the exchange of best practices and strategies.

Our discussion will feature insights from high-profile panellists, including leading experts in human rights, gender policy, and international development.