Panel Discussion: Struggles Over Education and Gender: Legal and Political Perspectives

Tradwives, Looks-Maxxing & Co.—right-wing and conservative notions of gender are spreading beyond social media and are specifically targeting young people. Right-wing actors are seeking to establish heteronormative, traditional gender roles and to incite hatred against queerness and feminist rights.

This struggle for social hegemony is also playing out in the education sector. Through political and legal channels, sexual and gender diversity—as well as gender equality policies—are being targeted as part of the curriculum.

The success of these attacks is evident in the 2024 ban on gender-inclusive language in schools and government agencies in Hesse, in university budget cuts that first target gender studies or gender equality initiatives, and in cuts and restructuring of public funding, as illustrated by the discussions surrounding the program “Demokratie leben.”

We view this issue as part of—and exemplary of—structural societal changes aimed at reinforcing authoritarian gender relations. That is why we would like to create a space where practitioners, scholars, and members of civil society can come together and work collaboratively to develop an understanding of these issues and generate ideas for counterstrategies.

We look forward to an evening of discussion with the audience and our guests: Luise Brunner (GEW Hessen), Dr. Tilo Hase (local government), and Dr. Nele Austermann (University of Kassel).

An event organized by the JUST – Just and Sustainable Transformation doctoral program of the Hans Böckler Foundation at the University of Kassel