Regressive movements growing and becoming more mainstreamed, fueling dangerous backlash
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON – New research from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women/L’Institut canadien de recherches sur les femmes (CRIAW-ICREF) finds that feminist and social justice organizations have growing concerns about the impacts of regressive ideologies and movements on women’s equality and human rights.
In five regional discussion groups held across Canada, feminist organizations reported there was a growing presence, mobilization, and mainstreaming of regressive and anti-feminist ideologies in every region of the country. The organizations’ representatives highlighted the increasing costs associated with new safety measures for staff and the women who access their services, due to anti-feminist harassment and threats, including online attacks and hate campaigns. The mainstreaming of these ideologies is fueling a dangerous backlash against women’s equality and human rights with far reaching ramifications.
“An on-going challenge in addressing and fighting for women’s equality and social justice is stable funding to support all the work that needs to get done,” said CRIAW-ICREF Executive Director Jackie Neapole. “If the anti-feminist backlash continues to grow unfettered, coupled with neo-liberal economic policy and austerity measures, there is a very real concern that women’s rights organizations will have to close their doors– this will devastate the feminist movement in Canada.”
Many organizations’ representatives noted regressive movements were mobilizing and growing their ranks by exploiting people’s legitimate concerns related to housing, cost of living and job security. To resist the rollback of human rights, feminist organizations identified collective actions and inclusive, progressive movement building as key to countering this growing threat. This means meeting and addressing the challenges of today by providing alternative progressive solutions for a just and equitable world for all people and the planet.
These findings are from CRIAW-ICREF’s multi-year feminist participatory action research project, Strengthening Feminist Intersectional Solidarity for Action, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).
“Regressive ideologies are not just words—they have real consequences for women’s safety, rights, and futures. At a time when hard-fought gains for women’s equality and human rights are under threat, the work of feminist and social justice organizations has never been more critical. Insights from the research conducted by CRIAW play an important role in challenging systemic discrimination and empowering women’s organizations to help uphold human rights and build an equitable society for all.”
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth