Gender Equality Is Under Threat: A Gender Equality Week Series
Gender Equality Week is an opportunity to recognize the progress made toward a more equal Canada, while also acknowledging that progress is not guaranteed. Around the world and here at home, gender equality is facing renewed backlash—from the rise of online misogyny and attacks on reproductive rights to the ongoing underfunding of women’s health and the persistent crisis of gender-based violence.
That is why this Gender Equality Week, YWCA BC is publishing a four-part blog series exploring some of the most urgent threats to gender equality today. Each post looks at a different warning sign and asks what it will take to protect hard-won rights, strengthen public systems and ensure that equality continues to move forward—not backward.
The Gender Backlash
Depending on your algorithm, gender equality has either already been achieved and we should be satisfied, or there is still significant work to be done. Make no mistake: we are facing a "gender backlash," with deliberate and organized efforts to roll back established commitments, rights and gains toward gender equality.
A range of economic and social pressures have helped create fertile ground for this backlash. The COVID-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living and climate-related crises have fuelled uncertainty and mistrust in institutions, while far-right ideologies have gained traction. Women, gender-diverse people, immigrants and other marginalized communities are increasingly targeted and blamed for broader social and economic challenges.
Throughout this series, we explore four areas where these challenges are increasingly visible: the rise of online misogyny and the manosphere, persistent gaps in women's health research and funding, growing threats to reproductive rights, and the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence. Together, these issues serve as a reminder that gender equality cannot be taken for granted. Protecting hard-won gains requires continued vigilance, investment and action.
In this series:
The Manosphere and the Rise of Online Misogyny
How are online influencers and anti-feminist communities shaping attitudes toward gender equality? We explore the growth of the manosphere and its impact on young people, public discourse and safety.
Why Women's Health Is Still Overlooked and Underfunded
Despite decades of progress, women's health remains under-researched and underfunded. This post examines the consequences of persistent gaps in research, diagnosis and care.
Reproductive Rights Are Under Threat—Even Where They Seem Secure
Around the world, reproductive rights are facing renewed challenges. We look at what these rollbacks mean for gender equality and why Canadians should be paying attention.
Gender-Based Violence Remains a Costly and Persistent Crisis
Gender-based violence affects individuals, communities and the economy. Drawing on YWCA BC research, this post examines the true cost of violence and the case for prevention.
