Defending women's rights against the rise of the far right

At a time when International Women's Rights Day is echoing feminist struggles around the world, the rise of the extreme right is giving cause for deep concern. Well-known for its racist and xenophobic ideology, this movement also relies on exacerbated conservatism and a “naturalist” vision of gender roles, where women are confined to the domestic and reproductive spheres. In this scheme, the “ideal woman” is mother, wife and housewife, while any emancipation through contraception or abortion is rejected.

Behind its xenophobic rhetoric, the far right often associates violence against women with immigration, downplaying the patriarchy that runs through all societies. Racialized, migrant and veiled women are particularly targeted, as they are seen as threats to “national purity”. The far right is also becoming more feminized, giving the impression of being less dangerous: women now occupy key positions, which raises the question of their role in a patriarchal system that they sometimes help to legitimize.

While the extreme right is gaining ground in many countries today, either through its electoral scores or through the spread of its ideas to other parties, it is nevertheless encountering resistance from many citizens. Feminist associations, on the front line of the fight, are spearheading citizen mobilizations to protect equality and the rule of law. This international day, held on March 8, reminds us that we must relentlessly defend the fundamental rights of all women and men.