Varieties of Opposition to Gender Equality in Europe

Reviews / Votes

'This truly timely book fixates "opposition to gender equality" as an acute research priority. It deplores the fragmented state of our understanding yet makes great amends, scrutinizing varieties of opposition to equality through a series of strong case studies from different parts of Europe. The book's ambition is huge and very much appreciated: It launches a brand new theory-grounded research program of great significance for gender+ equality scholarship in the years to come. An extremely important book!' - Hege Skjeie, Professor of Political Science, University of Oslo, Norway

'When hundreds of protesters in Poland, France, and Italy are protesting against "gender ideology"; when the erosion of democratic institutions, as is happening in Hungary, becomes a matter of political reality; and radical right political parties are on the rise in Europe, the crucial question is: what went wrong? This excellent collection provides important answers in the context of gender+ equality policies, which have been one of the main target of these illiberal political changes. While gender+ equality policies have always faced opposition, this well-researched book not only shows that we are facing a new chapter in this oppositional project but also offers analytical and theoretical tools to counter its complex dynamics. For this reason, this volume is an indispensable and crucial read not only for scholars, but also for activists, politicians, and anyone fighting for social justice.' - Roman Kuhar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

'We need to understand why opposition to gender equality is growing in Europe. With its superb range and innovative analysis, this book will inspire new thinking and new practices in response to this trend.' - Sylvia Walby, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and UNESCO Chair of Gender Research, Lancaster University, UK

'Building on social movement theory and social complexity theory, this book offers an original framework for understanding the varieties of opposition to the project of gender equality in Europe. The empirical chapters support the key conceptual points: that opposition to gender equality is dynamic, multi-dimensional, intersectional, and influenced by context-specific factors. The innovative framework contributes to an understanding of how the rise of opposition forces to gender equality is closely linked to class and an understanding of how to counter these oppositional forces. The book convincingly argues that future analysis of opposition to gender equality needs to focus more on intersectionality, especially regarding race and ethnicity.' - Birte Siim, Professor, Department of Culture and Global Studies, Aalborg University, Denmark