Equality and its pivotal role in European democracies : 2023 and beyond

Abstract

Never have equality and non-discrimination played a more crucial role in the defence of European democracies. This panel will examine upcoming progress and possible struggles around these issues. At the EU level the Equality acquis is gaining momentum, as exemplified by the appointment of the first ever Commissioner for equality and anti-racism Coordinator, and by the adoption of the Gender Equality and LGBTIQ Equality Strategies in 2020. Simultaneously, however, we note that progress and backlash on equality continue to coexist in a growing number of Member States. Women’s rights and the rights of LGBTI+ communities, in particular, are under constant attack--often used as a means to mobilize support for marginalization and exclusion via hate speech. In Poland, for example, women’s sexual and reproductive rights continue to be contested; and clashes continue with so-called LGBTI-free municipalities. In Germany, the struggle around the ‘self-identification act’ and for the acceptance of the trans community is ongoing. But impacted communities around Europe have taken to the streets and to social media to stand up for their rights and advance them. Our discussion will explore how to engage with legal frameworks and social dynamics to ensure that democracy in Europe remains based on human rights and fundamental freedoms. But, beyond legal frameworks, we will also examine how perception functions in embedding rights politically and socially. Our discussion will therefore also cover what researchers have learned about attitudes in the EU, especially those at the intersection of misogyny and support for extreme parties.