Contentious Gender Politics in Italy: Feminist Responses to Anti-Gender Mobilizations

The paper explores the responses of feminist movements in Italy to the rise of anti-gender politics. The growing influence of anti-gender actors, bolstered by alliances with populist right-wing parties such as the League and Brothers of Italy, has resulted in significant setbacks for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as the promotion of conservative gender norms. The institutionalization of anti-gender activism in Italy has fueled a contraction of rights, sparking a resurgence of feminist mobilizations. Notably, movements like Non Una di Meno have emerged to counter these threats through mass protests and intersectional activism. Although the feminist movement’s resurgence is not merely reactive, anti-gender actors have shaped the strategies feminists employ. Drawing on theories of contentious politics and movement-countermovement dynamics (Whittier, 2013; McAdam, 1996; Lavizzari & Siročić, 2022), the paper examines how feminist movements have developed both confrontational and non-confrontational responses. This includes strategies ranging from public protests to direct social action and cultural initiatives aimed at resisting the anti-gender agenda.

Using empirical data from 20 interviews with feminist activists and co-creation laboratories, the paper offers an analysis of the impact of the interaction between feminist movements and anti-gender actors in Italy. It highlights the asymmetry of resources and institutional access between the two sides, with anti-gender actors often leveraging political and economic support from far-right parties, while feminist movements in Italy remain grassroots and institutionally distant. The research is part of the Horizon Project Fierce (Feminist Movements Revitalizing Democracy in Europe).