CEO blog: The rise of the anti-rights movement

From the U.S. to Australia – the anti-rights movement is growing in influence. Now’s the time to mobilise in response.

Across the globe, sexual and reproductive health rights are under attack. From rolling back abortion access in the U.S. to a growing anti-rights movement in Australia, we are witnessing a calculated, well-funded effort to control our bodies, restrict our rights and dismantle gender equity.

The anti-rights movement has its foundations in restricting the bodily autonomy of women and gender diverse people. For decades, these well-funded groups have been mobilising and forming coalitions to wind back progress on human rights, particularly for women and LGBTIQA+ people. In the US alone, the revenue of these ‘anti-gender’ groups rose to $6.2 billion USD from 2008 to 2017, with over $1 billion USD going towards global anti-gender movements.[1]

I’ve experienced the divisive and dangerous tactics of the anti-rights movement firsthand. At the 2023 Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, the Hungarian President, a powerful player in the international ‘anti-gender movement’, delivered a speech espousing family values. At odds with Women Deliver and the 6,000+ feminist delegates and activists, she spoke to the increasing fertility rate in Hungary, claiming ‘the main challenge women face is the decision between motherhood and a career.’

This message, and the broader anti-rights movement, aren’t about protecting families or women. It’s about championing ‘traditional values’ that undermine women’s health and people’s bodily autonomy.

The same forces attempting to strip away abortion rights are attacking gender-affirming healthcare, evidence-based sex education, LGBTIQA+ rights, and now diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. This is a deliberate, coordinated and well-resourced movement designed to roll back decades of progress.

At Women’s Health Victoria, our commitment to protecting reproductive rights and gender equity has never been stronger. We will continue to work tirelessly with governments, the sector and the community to ensure everyone has equal access to quality healthcare that responds to their gendered needs.

Progress is not inevitable. As we witness increasing attempts to restrict reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, and evidence-based health education, it’s crucial we pay close attention to these global trends and their impact on Australia.

History has shown that coordinated anti-rights movements do not operate in isolation. We must all continue to work together to safeguard progress.

[1] https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/2020/11/12/meet-the-moment/