Across Europe, a coordinated anti-gender turn has taken shape, characterised by political, legislative and discursive attacks on gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.

In some EU member states, such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, governments and far-right actors increasingly frame gender equality as “ideology,” advancing restrictive laws and targeting feminist and LGBTQ+ organisations. In Eastern European and Central Asian countries (EECA), the anti-gender agenda has taken more repressive forms, including “LGBT propaganda” bans and systematic dismantling of civil society. These measures not only endanger local communities but also reverberate into Europe through transnational alliances, financing channels and narrative diffusion.

Therefore, a robust and coordinated response is essential to safeguard democratic institutions, the integrity of EU law and the Union’s global human rights leadership.