The Far-Right’s War on Women — and How To Fight Back
FACT-CHECKED ✅
Far-right movements are surging worldwide, and women are in their crosshairs. This article unravels the misogyny fuelling these groups, blending psychology, sociology, and history to reveal why women’s rights are under attack. From Donald Trump’s policies to the haunting parallels of The Handmaid’s Tale, we’ll explore how a fabricated “golden past” drives efforts to reverse progress. Understanding this battle isn’t just about spotting the threat, but also about forging a future where dignity thrives for all.
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| Women are in their crosshairs of far-right movements worldwide. (📷:oldaintdead) |
The Myth of a Perfect Past
Far-right groups pine for a simpler time — a pristine era where men ruled and women obeyed. This vision isn’t history; it’s a fable. Philosopher Roger Scruton described such nostalgia as a longing for a lost ideal that never was. Yet this myth powers a crusade to “restore” rigid gender roles, casting women as rebels who’ve wandered too far from kitchen and cradle. Real history shatters this illusion. In the 1950s, domestic violence was a silent epidemic — laws barely protected women, and “honour” killings often went unpunished. This isn’t a golden age to reclaim; it’s a cage women broke free from. Recognising this fiction exposes the far-right’s agenda for what it is: a bid to rewind hard-won gains.
Why These Ideas Take Root
Why do people buy into this? Psychology points to our deep need to belong. Social Identity Theory shows how group loyalty boosts self-worth — like sports fans who cheer not just for victory, but for the “us” it builds. Far-right leaders exploit this, crafting an identity around “traditional” values: the heroic husband, the devoted wife, the untainted nation. In a world of rapid change — feminism, globalisation, diversity — this offers a cosy retreat. Take “trad wives”, women who champion homemaking as a noble calling. It’s pitched as freedom, but it’s a velvet trap, shrinking their lives under the guise of virtue. This isn’t choice — it’s a psychological sleight-of-hand trading autonomy for comfort. Grasping this allure reveals why these movements spread, and how we can reach those ensnared.
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| (📷:killerinsideme) |
Society Under Siege
These beliefs don’t stay abstract — they reshape lives. In the U.S., Donald Trump’s administration slashed access to birth control and restricted abortion options like mifepristone. It’s a playbook eerily close to The Handmaid’s Tale, where women are reduced to vessels under male dominion. Beyond fiction, voices like Scott Yenor argue women don’t belong in law or medicine, framing it as natural order. This isn’t just an American fight. In Europe and Brazil, far-right rhetoric cloaks similar goals in “family values”, a tactic sociology flags as power consolidation. By controlling women’s bodies and roles, these groups aim to mould entire societies. The stakes? Freedom itself.
Faith Twisted into Control
Religion often gets hijacked here, warped into a tool of subjugation. In the U.S., Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation envisions a Christian theocracy sidelining women from education and work. Trump’s ally Paula White, tasked with purging “anti-Christian” ideas, amplifies this vision. It mirrors Gilead’s dystopia, where faith justifies chains. In Brazil, pastors like Edir Macedo preach that women’s place is domestic, not academic, branding it divine will. This is domination in sacred disguise, not faith. Philosophy challenges us: when does belief oppress instead of uplift? For women, the answer decides whether spirituality liberates or locks.
Fighting Back
We’re not powerless. History proves it: suffragettes endured scorn and prison to secure voting rights; 20th-century trailblazers shattered ceilings in every field. Today, resistance thrives — Planned Parenthood battles for bodily autonomy, while everyday voices debunk myths online. All human power can be resisted and reversed by human beings, as the saying goes. It’s not about volume; it’s about unity across genders, across borders. Education arms us, illuminating the stakes. Anthropology shows that humanity evolves and that we’re not bound to yesterday’s shadows. Hope isn’t passive; it’s the spark that’s driven progress for centuries.
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| All human power can be resisted and reversed by human beings. (📷:flickr) |
The far-right’s war on women isn’t inevitable, but a challenge we can meet. Their “perfect past” is a ghost; their future, a regression we can refuse. Every step, every protest, every vote, every conversation builds a fairer world. If we want another society, it’s up to us to make it happen. With resolve and compassion, we can overcome hate. This fight isn’t just for women — it’s for everyone. Together, we can shape a tomorrow worth believing in.
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*During the preparation of this work the author used ChatGPT in order to brainstorm on arguments that could be used in the article. After using this tool, the author reviewed and edited the content as needed and takes full responsibility for the content of the publication.
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