Full Answer Section

This UN Women press release, published in March 2025, highlights a disturbing global trend: nearly a quarter of governments worldwide reported a “backlash” on women’s rights in 2024. This article provides a rich ground for analysis through several key concepts in Women’s & Gender Studies, particularly patriarchy, systemic inequality, and intersectionality, while also implicitly addressing the ongoing struggle against misogyny.

Analysis through WGS Concepts:

1. Patriarchy and Systemic Inequality: The article directly confronts the pervasive nature of patriarchy – a social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. The report states, “women’s human rights are under attack. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.” This clearly points to a reassertion of patriarchal norms and power structures. The “backlash” isn’t merely a series of isolated incidents; it suggests a coordinated or at least widespread effort to undermine the progress made towards gender equality. This aligns with the understanding in Women’s & Gender Studies that patriarchy is not just about individual acts of discrimination but a deeply entrenched systemic inequality that structures institutions, laws, and cultural practices to privilege men and disadvantage women. The fact that “women’s representation in parliaments more than doubled” since 1995 but still faces “growing threats” indicates the resistance inherent in dismantling these long-standing power imbalances. As discussed in many foundational WGS texts (e.g., Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack,” though about race, the concept of unearned advantage and embedded systems applies), dismantling privilege is often met with resistance from those who benefit from the existing structure.

2. Intersectionality (Implicitly): While the article primarily discusses “women’s rights” broadly, it implicitly acknowledges the importance of intersectionality, a concept introduced by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw. Intersectionality posits that various social and political identities (gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, nationality, etc.) combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. The report mentions that “digital technology and artificial intelligence spread harmful stereotypes, while the digital gender gap limits women’s opportunities.” This points to how technological advancements, if not critically examined through a gender lens, can reinforce existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting women who may already face barriers based on class or geographic location in accessing technology. Furthermore, the report calls for “Frontline women’s organizations…to receive dedicated, sustained funding to build lasting peace,” recognizing that the impact of crises (like conflict, climate emergency, food/fuel prices) is not uniform, and women in specific vulnerable contexts (e.g., those in conflict zones) face compounded challenges. This underscores that “women’s rights” cannot be addressed as a monolithic issue but must consider the unique experiences of women from diverse backgrounds.

3. Misogyny and Gender-Based Violence: The article explicitly uses the term “misogyny,” which is a core concept in WGS referring to the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. The statement “Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny” is a stark warning. This “mainstreaming” suggests that overt or subtle forms of gender hatred are becoming more acceptable or even normalized in public discourse and policy. This often manifests in gender-based violence (GBV), which the article indirectly touches upon by highlighting threats to women’s rights defenders and the urgency for “Zero violence” legislation. Misogyny is a root cause of GBV, perpetuating the idea that women are lesser or deserve to be controlled, thus justifying violence against them. This aligns with analyses that frame violence as a tool of patriarchal control, as explored in works that delve into the continuum of violence against women.

In conclusion, the UN Women article serves as a critical contemporary data point demonstrating the ongoing relevance of foundational Women’s & Gender Studies concepts. The “backlash” on women’s rights is not a random occurrence but a manifestation of resilient patriarchal structures, systemic inequalities, and widespread misogyny, demanding an intersectional approach to understand and combat the diverse challenges women face globally. The article implicitly calls for a continued feminist movement that aligns with bell hooks’ broader definition of feminism: “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression,” as the reported threats go beyond mere “equality of the sexes” to deeply entrenched forms of subjugation and violence