Major shifts in global politics and international development have created a backlash against gender equality and the progress made in decades past. This is evident in the shrinking civic space and diminishing autonomy of gender justice organizations, as it is in deeply resilient and negative gender norms and stereotypes around the world. The study aims to address the interconnected problems by improving the understanding of and countering the backlash against women’s rights, addressing the erosion of gender agendas, and identifying new opportunities for feminist action and impact.
Researchers: Maheen Sultan; Pragyna Mahpara; Iffat Jahan Antara; Nuha Annoor Pabony; Shamsad Navia Novelly; Md. Mohaiminul Islam
Partners: Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Timeline: 2019–2025
Status: Completed
Contact: Maheen Sultan; maheen.sultan@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Progress towards gender equality is essential for progress towards development, and its importance is underscored under Global Goal 5 (gender equality) in Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Despite advancements, new forces in the global political landscape are visibly pushing back to reverse the many gains made for women’s rights. The backlash is escalating globally, and it represents a powerful attack on the consensus on gender equality. It intends to disempower those who seek to advance gender justice and revitalise traditional gender roles and stereotypes, including the co-opting of existing processes and policies for gender in development. The study aims to improve our understanding of the issues so that relevant stakeholders can counter this backlash.
Publications
- Working Paper: Countering Online Gender-Based Violence: Cyber Security or State Security and the Dilemmas of Policy Engagement
- Working Paper: Analysis of Voice and Agency in Countering Backlash Against Gender Justice: Synthesis of Three Policy Cases in Bangladesh
- Resource Pack: Online Safety For Activists
Objectives
The study hopes to enhance the understanding, capacities, and opportunities needed for women’s rights organisations (WROs) and other gender justice defenders to counter the backlash and address the erosion of gender objectives within international development. The research aims to deliver two key sets of results: (1) increased access to and use of gender equality research, and (2) enhanced methods and capacity development for gender equality efforts.
Methodology
Spanning several countries and exploring implications of regionally relevant strategies and processes, this is an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods study that includes analytic review, problem-focused primary research, comparative analysis, and action research with partners. The research themes are explored through three interconnected strands: voice, patriarchy, and policy & practice. Voice focuses on WROs and their strategies to counter stereotyping and backlash within a shrinking civic space. On the other hand, the strand on policy and practice focuses on the impact of the changing civic space on gender equality activism and policy (rise of patriarchal groups, new laws, criminalisation of activists, etc.), and on SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).
Findings and Recommendations
This study analysed online gender-based violence (OGBV) in Bangladesh and mapped the gender justice actors involved in online activism and efforts to counter OGBV. It explored how cyber security policies, such as the CSA 2023, could address OGBV. The research also highlighted the difficulties and limitations gender justice activists and online users face in accessing and proposing revisions to the existing legislation and institutions responsible for providing redress to victims of such violence.
The findings indicate that while online space is evolving rapidly, both technologically and as a civic arena, with increasing public engagement and regulatory efforts, OGBV is simultaneously growing, posing a significant threat that remains largely unregulated despite heightened recognition. The newly approved CSA also retains most of the contested sections of the DSA, without adding provisions to safeguard women, children, and marginalised communities—some of the most vulnerable groups. The study also revealed a lack of online gender activists in the policy space engaging with laws and policies that ensure freedom of expression, safety, and security, while preventing and redressing OGBV.
While the government recognises the importance of cybersecurity in terms of protecting state security, individual online safety has not been incorporated as a prioritised agenda. Despite activists’ mistrust of the state and state institutions, there is potential for these institutions to be helpful or to be held accountable. The present research has shown that there are allies within the state who are sympathetic and sensitive to the concerns of ensuring online safety, security, and freedom of speech for all. There is potential for gender justice activists to form formal and informal alliances with such allies. To have an impact in such a difficult and sensitive policy area, it is necessary for reform coalitions to be strategic and influential.
At present, the existing coalition actors are working in a fragmented manner. Various actors focus on different aspects of the same issue; for instance, some are concerned with the security of critical information infrastructure and freedom of speech in the online sphere, while others focus on the safety and security of women and general users of the online space. Additionally, some governance actors do not fully acknowledge the contributions and capacities of gender justice activists. Coalition actors are working with a limited number of people and organisations behind closed doors—there are reasons for this, but it limits their overall impact.
