Anti-Gender Movements in Europe: The Spanish Far Right, Transnational Strategies, and CEE Responses – Lessons for the EU

On April 7ᵗʰ, L’Associació de Drets Sexuals i Reproductius, together with the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights (EPF), ASTRA Network and Health Education and Research Association – HERA, will organise the event “Anti-Gender Movements in Europe: The Spanish Far Right, Transnational Strategies, and CEE Responses – Lessons for the EU” at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The event will take place from 10:00 to 12:00 in room SPINELLI 5G1, bringing together researchers, civil society organisations, and policymakers to examine the growing influence of anti-gender movements in Europe and to discuss strategies to defend sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Over the past decade, far-right and anti-gender actors have significantly expanded their influence across Europe, shaping political debates, policy agendas, and institutional dynamics related to SRHR. These movements operate across borders, building alliances and exporting narratives that increasingly impact European policymaking.

Within this context, the Spanish far right and anti-gender actors have emerged as particularly influential, promoting strategies and discourses that resonate well beyond Spain and contribute to the consolidation of anti-rights agendas at the European level.

At the same time, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) offers another important perspective. In several countries in the region, civil society organisations working on SRHR have operated for years under restrictive governments and sustained political pressure. This has led to the development of innovative strategies, strong coalitions, and resilient advocacy approaches capable of achieving results even in contexts of democratic backsliding.

The event aims to create a space within the European Parliament to:

• Examine how the Spanish far right contributes to the expansion of anti-gender and anti-SRHR agendas at the European level.

• Learn from CEE experiences of resistance, highlighting evidence-based strategies developed by civil society organisations operating in hostile political environments.
• Discuss the implications for EU institutions, including external action, human rights commitments, and democratic governance.
• Explore how these lessons can strengthen parliamentary engagement on the intersection of SRHR, democracy, and the rule of law.

Registration link: Event registration: Forming a European Response to the Transnational Anti-gender Movement – Fill in form

You can watch the session online. Simultaneous interpretation Spanish–English will be provided, and a networking space will follow the event. Places are limited and participation will be in person only.