After three years of collaborative research and action, the PushBackLash consortium gathered in Salzburg for the project’s final conference and public Forum on Democracy and Gender Equality, hosted by the University of Salzburg on 25 September 2025.
This event marked the conclusion of the EU-funded Horizon Europe project, which brought together universities, research institutes, and civil society organisations to examine the growing anti-gender backlash across Europe — and to strengthen democratic and feminist responses to it.
Confronting anti-gender backlash through research and dialogue
Led by Professor Zoe Lefkofridi (University of Salzburg), the PushBackLash project explored how democracies can respond to regressive movements that threaten gender equality and inclusive citizenship. Over three years, the consortium analysed public attitudes, political narratives, and digital disinformation campaigns that reinforce inequality and polarisation.
At the Salzburg Forum, participants discussed key findings and policy recommendations, highlighting that research must not only analyse backlash, but also inform practical solutions.
Speakers included human rights expert Dr. Marianne Schulze, Oriane Gilloz from the European Commission, Professor Rina Alluri (UNESCO Chair, University of Innsbruck), and Janine Heinz from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research.
Research insights and policy recommendations
The consortium’s work revealed that while egalitarian attitudes are widespread in parts of Northern Europe, traditional views of gender roles persist in Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe. In several countries — including Germany and the UK — support for LGBTQIA+ rights has also declined for the first time in years.
Digital spaces, particularly social media platforms like X, have amplified discriminatory narratives and coordinated anti-gender campaigns, while the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened existing inequalities.
Based on this research, PushBackLash partners call for structural reforms to promote equality, including:
- Fairer distribution of care work
- Gender-sensitive education and curricula
- Stronger protection against online hate speech
- Legal clarity and robust equality data
- Intersectional policymaking, ensuring that diverse groups — including women with disabilities — are not left behind
Building the future: From PushBackLash to ATHENA
The Salzburg event also underscored the University’s growing role as an international research hub for democracy and gender studies. Building on PushBackLash, a new centre — the Salzburg Center for Intersectional Research (ATHENA) — will continue this work, embedding expertise on gender, democracy, and intersectionality within global research networks.
As Gender Five Plus, we are proud to have contributed to this collective effort — connecting research, activism, and policy to strengthen democratic resilience and gender justice across Europe.
Consortium partners:
University of Salzburg (Lead) · University of Exeter · University of Amsterdam · University of Valencia · Eötvös Loránd University · GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences · Technische Universität Dresden · Gender Five Plus · YouGov · Humanity in Action · TDU Wien – Theater der Unterdrückten
👉 Learn more about the PushBackLash project and explore its findings: www.pushbacklash.eu