THE ANTI-GENDER TREND AS A TOOL OF ILLIBERAL TRANSFORMATION: MANIFESTATION TENDENCIES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the anti-gender trend as a strategic tool of illiberal transformation in Central and Eastern European countries. It is substantiated that anti-gender policy is not merely an ideological marker for right-wing conservative forces but a systemic mechanism of de-democratization aimed at curtailing civil rights and dismantling liberal institutions. Key theoretical frameworks for understanding this phenomenon are identified, including the concept of "cultural backlash" as a reaction to progressive changes (Inglehart, Norris) and the "shameless normalization" of far-right discourse (Wodak). It is explained how populist leaders use the emotional resource of "moral panic" and "defense of the nation" to legitimize authoritarian practices.
A comparative analysis of three case studies—Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—is conducted. It is established that Hungary and Poland demonstrate a model of "state antifeminism" based on a dual strategy: "positive" familialist policies (economic incentives) and "negative" repressive policies (abortion bans, restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, attacks on education). It is ascertained that the Slovak case illustrates an evolution from grassroots mobilization (the 2015 referendum) through parliamentary populism to the rapid institutionalization of an anti-gender course after 2023. The conclusions summarize that the anti-gender trend functions as an infrastructure of illiberal power, which is entrenched through the development of parallel structures, control over knowledge, and "norm-spoiling" at the international level. Furthermore, the limitations of existing theoretical explanations, such as "cultural backlash," are highlighted, as anti-gender rhetoric increasingly mobilizes not only older but also younger generations, posing new research questions.