The global rollback or backlash on women’s rights is an existential crisis for human rights in general and gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights in particular and is a pressing concern for Gender Links and our mission to achieve an inclusive, equal and just society for women and girls in all their diversity.
The #PushForward4Equality campaign aims to raise awareness about gender inequality, highlight the contributions of diverse voices, and mobilise communities to take action towards achieving gender equality in all areas of life.
This campaign and communications concept note/plan aims to connect different aspects of GL’s work, focusing on backlash, ultimately raising visibility, amplifying lived experiences, and building public understanding to mobilise action and solidarity. It primarily builds on GL’s ongoing and upcoming areas of work, thinking through how to utilise compelling storytelling, accessible content, social media, and media engagement, showcased on a dedicated campaign web page, to maximise impact.
2025 marks 30 years since the seminal Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The 1995 Beijing Platform for Action became the global blueprint for achieving gender equality, guiding many countries toward more equal and just societies. The struggle for gender equality and women’s rights has witnessed significant advancements, challenging deeply entrenched societal norms and contributing to greater equality and justice across various realms.
However, this progress has also provoked a strong resistance from conservative governments and movements. These entities have engaged in a counter-response that seeks to challenge, undermine, and ultimately reverse the achievements that have been hard-won by these marginalised groups. This backlash often manifests through legislation aimed at restricting rights, public campaigns that promote discriminatory views, and various forms of societal pushback that intend to roll back the protections and freedoms that have been established. As a result, the struggle for equality has become increasingly fraught, as advocates must confront not only the ongoing fight for rights but also the efforts to dismantle the progress that has already been made.
According to the 2025 Women’s Rights in Review – 30 Years After Beijing Report, almost one quarter of countries reported that backlash on gender equality is hampering the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
Literature is abundant on the backlash, its causes, and its consequences. Examples exist in almost all contexts and states. Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) and South and Southeast Asia (SSEA) are well-represented in terms of understanding the diverse manifestations in several countries in the region. Some literature and programmes are available in East Africa (Uganda and Kenya) and LATAC. The literature review revealed a gap in information on backlash in Southern Africa. There is some evidence of backlash in the region; however, there is scant research on its specific manifestations in the region.
While they have diverse roots and contexts, it is clear that backlash and resistance stem, above all, from the defence of the privileges enjoyed by dominant groups. Backlash has been growing in coordination and intensity, with well-resourced conservative forces organising in more coordinated ways to roll back rights in the very places that were set up to advance women’s and human rights.
Backlash doesn’t just slow progress—it puts women’s freedom, safety and autonomy at risk. Recognising and countering it is one of the most urgent challenges facing gender justice movements today.
Social change occurs in a series of interlocking circles rather than as a linear progression, in the same way resistance and backlash intersect all levels of society. Using this framework, we can explore how resistance and backlash at these levels intersect and influence each other. 
Resistance and backlash occur at four intersecting levels: government, institutions, community, and personal. The PushForward4Equality campaign will spotlight resistance and backlash at the community and individual levels and how they are pushing forward in challenging, often risky circumstances.
We believe in fostering a culture of support, empowerment, and unity in a world often dominated by backlash and negativity. We aim to inspire individuals and communities to champion equality, highlighting the strength and resilience of women and marginalised people everywhere. Through engaging stories, uplifting experiences, and collective action, we aim to shift the narrative from fear to hope, creating a brighter future where everyone can thrive regardless of gender. The goal is to learn from and share such examples, particularly if they are linked to sustainable traction and change in gender norms.
It is crucial to delve deeper into the effectiveness of resistance strategies—what has proven successful in mobilising support and effecting change, and what approaches have fallen short. Understanding these dynamics will provide valuable insights into the broader feminist movement and its ongoing efforts to combat the challenges it faces.
Foster feminist movement-building synergies
GL will use its convening power and network strengths to collaborate with partners such including the SADC Gender Protocol Alliance and partners, Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellows, the Marang Fund (a new European Union-funded Fund that aims to improve the lives of LBTQI+ people in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia), media organisations and African Women in Dialogue (AfWID), to foster collective advocacy impact.
SADC Gender Protocol Alliance is a coalition of civil society groups across all 16 SADC states, a regional “network of networks” that has been instrumental in advocating for policy reforms aligned with the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. Their efforts have led to tangible legal advancements in gender equality, including the enactment of domestic violence laws and the establishment of quotas for women’s political representation in multiple countries. Since 2009 the Alliance has been actively engaged in policy reform and monitoring progress in achieving the targets through research and advocacy.
Women of the South Speak Out is a five-year project funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Through fellowships, WOSSO’s backbone of nearly 200 fellows, aged 18 to 35, from diverse countries, regions, and backgrounds, offers unique world views and amplifies the voices of women and girls from the Global South. Through the #PushForward4Equality, WOSSO Fellows will raise awareness and document the experiences and stories of resistance strategies and collaboration that drive progressive change.
African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is funding GL to enhance its advocacy initiatives across Southern Africa through the #PushForward campaign, which aligns with the global movement for gender equality. This project is designed to strengthen regional advocacy, enhance digital and foster movement-building synergies.
The Marang Fund (Marang means “rays of light” in Setswana) is a new EU-funded initiative to strengthen LBTIQ organisations and their work in Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Namibia, with advocacy initiatives stretching across Southern Africa. Through small grants, capacity building, and storytelling, the Fund supports bold advocacy, safe spaces, and legal reforms that advance equality and justice. As part of Marang Fund activities, 50 journalists will receive training on sexual diversity and inclusion and produce 10 stories each on LGBTIQ rights. In addition, 100 “I” Stories or first-hand accounts of LGBTQ experiences will be written and published.
– Raise visibility and communicate urgency about backlash and rollback on gender equality and women’s rights.
– Amplify the lived experiences of women, girls, and marginalised communities facing backlash and resistance.
– Inform and build public knowledge on the drivers, manifestations, and counterstrategies—drawn primarily from lived and activist experiences.
– Mobilise action and solidarity for women’s and marginalised groups’ rights across the Southern African region and beyond.
The #PushForward4Equality campaign is designed to mobilise a collective voice and action for transformative outcomes that will contribute to reshaping gender equality efforts across Southern Africa. By leveraging strategic advocacy at the SADC HOS and G20 forums, we aim to play a significant and influential role in amplifying ongoing advocacy to secure concrete commitments from policymakers. This will create pathways for more women to participate meaningfully in political decision-making, ensuring their perspectives shape laws and policies that affect their lives.