Feminists Holding the Line: Defending Rights, Democracy, and Climate Justice in the Face of Anti-rights Backlash in the UNECE Region

UNECE Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 Side Event
The growing strength of far-right, anti-gender, and anti-rights movements is a significant threat to the progress made on gender equality, human rights, and climate justice across the UNECE region. As hard-won rights are dismantled, civil society has been mobilising to counteract this backlash. This side event aims to bring together key stakeholders to share strategies, insights, and solutions on how to defend democracy, climate justice, and gender equality in the face of these increasing challenges.

We believe in the power of feminist, queer, and gender equality movements to hold the line, sustain resistance, and build lasting alliances in these challenging times. This event will provide a space for reflection on current struggles and generate ideas for collective action to resist growing anti-rights forces.

Speakers

• Aïda Yancy, Independent consultant & activist, Holding the Line, Belgium
• Dr. Gabriela Alvarez Minte, Regional gender advisor, UNFPA
• Mariam Topchishvili, Feminist researcher and activist, Young Feminists, Georgia
• Marsel Ganeyev, Tatar queer language activist, founder of Qara Magan initiative, Kazakhstan
• Martin Hultman, Associate professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
• Vidar Vetterfalk, Environment and climate expert, MÄN – Men for Gender Equality, Sweden

Accessibility coordinator
Due to the sensitive nature of the discussion, safe space coordinators will be present to ensure a respectful environment. For accessibility needs or any concerns related to the safe space, participants can contact Rose Heffernan (rose.heffernan@wecf-consultant.org)