Summary

The term “gender” was originally conceptualized to explain and challenge the systematic oppression of women. Following the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, gender was considered one of the key concepts in international human rights. Now, transnational movements opposing “gender ideology” have gained ground, including among conservative religious, civil society and State actors. The Working Group has observed backlash against women’s rights and the very concept of gender and gender equality in recent years. This backlash puts many of the hard-fought gains that women have achieved in jeopardy, particularly in the areas of sexuality and reproduction and gender-equality education and even with regard to gender-based violence. 

In the context of the increasing misuse of the concept of gender, and attacks on gender equality and women’s rights, the Working Group considers it important to clarify the use of the concept of gender in relation to its mandate. In the present guidance document, prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 15/23, 41/6 and 50/18, the Working Group also addresses current challenges to women’s and girls’ rights, in particular attacks by fundamentalist movements, and highlights the need to reaffirm women’s and girl’s human rights and substantive gender equality globally.