“The Gender Rights Revolution and Authoritarian Backlash: Qualitative Evidence from Chile”

• In Event: Gender and Human Rights: Social Movements, Feminism, and Global Transformations

Abstract

Recent scholar highlights both increasing openness to gender equity and the rights of LGBT persons across a variety of national settings, as well as how these gains may spark cultural backlash via Populist Radical Right (PRR) parties, extreme right organizations, and anti-feminist counter movements. While these dynamics have evolved over several decades in the Global North, feminist and LGBT mobilization as well as authoritarian countermovements are more recent phenomena in Latin America. Further, distinct patterns of patriarchy as well as the strong cultural and political influence of the Catholic Church (and more recently evangelical groups) give gender politics distinct characteristics in this region. Based on sixty-one interviews with middle class adults in three Santiago, Chile communities and participant observation of local political campaigns, this paper explores the dynamics of progressive gender movements and authoritarian backlash in that country. Findings indicate broad acceptance of women’s growing labor force participation and workplace rights, but sharp divisions across demographic and ideologically-defined groups regarding anti-harassment legislation, the growing visibility of gay and lesbian people in public, and the rights of trans youth. These findings highlight the contested nature of gender rights in the post-pandemic era of authoritarian backlash.

Author

• Joel P. Stillerman, Grand Valley State University