10 hour course by Emanuela Lombardo (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

• Schedule: 10 & 11 June (10.00am - 1.00pm / 2.00pm - 4.00pm)

This course delves into the intricate relationship between gender equality, democracy, and the rise of antigender movements in Europe. As articulated by Verloo (2016), the interconnectedness of gender equality and democracy underscores the critical role of feminist politics in shaping democratic societies. However, contemporary challenges posed by far-right parties and antigender movements threaten both gender equality and democracy across Europe (Paternotte and Kuhar, 2018). The course aims to analyze the dynamics between antigender politics, feminist activism, and democracy, examining the implications for the future of gender equality and democratic governance in Europe. It prompts critical reflection on the following questions: How does opposition to gender equality impede democratic values in Europe? How can feminist responses to antigender movements strengthen democracy while advancing gender equality? Specifically, the course investigates the strategies employed by antigender forces to undermine gender equality in European, Spanish, and Catalan parliaments. It also explores feminist institutional responses aimed at countering these challenges. Drawing on research from projects such as the Horizon-Europe CCINDLE project and the DEMOC project, as well as collaborations with scholars like Johanna Kantola, the course offers insights into the complex interplay between gender, democracy, and political activism in contemporary European contexts.Through interdisciplinary analysis and empirical research, the course seeks to deepen participants' understanding of the multifaceted nature of gender politics and its implications for democratic governance in Europe.