Challenge Gender Research Articles

‘I want to be like you … ’ Using women scientists to challenge stereotypes and gender biases in childhood

ABSTRACT In this study, carried out in different provinces of Spain, we assess the impact of a co-educational science program conducted with children aged 3–6, whose objective is to deconstruct gender stereotypes in science by studying the biographies of female scientists. The evaluative methodology we use is based on analysing the opinions the pupils expressed at a school assembly, and we have applied content analysis to explore how much the pupils learnt about the female scientists, through 401 drawings. The main findings are: (1) 5-year-old children have sexist stereotypes related to the distribution of power between women and men; (2) the program is effective, because the pupils increase their knowledge and enrich their notions of female scientists and their contributions to science; and (3) the pupils do not illustrate situations of indirect inequality among scientists in their drawings, because they only perceive the injustice existing in situations of direct inequality.

Cultural Analysis of Female Cross-Gender Expression in Social Networks: A Case Study of Image Presentation in Douyin Short Videosv

With the continuous development of the internet and the growing awareness of women's social consciousness, the forms of self-expression by women on digital platforms have become increasingly diverse. Among these, female cross-gender performance has emerged as a key strategy of self-presentation in social networks. This paper analyzes two distinct expression strategies on the Douyin short video platform to explore and critically reflect on current female cross-gender expressions. The explicit expression strategy employs makeup, cross-dressing, and role-playing to simulate male personas, challenging traditional gender stereotypes. The implicit expression strategy, on the other hand, mocks male “ bad habits ” through the imitation of male behaviors and the use of symbolic metaphors, carrying a satirical undertone. However, these strategies have their limitations: male images are often idealized and trivialized, reinforcing gender norms; and constrained by patriarchal frameworks, they fail to genuinely subvert gender roles and the gender binary. As a result, while female cross-gender expression challenges gender stereotypes, it also faces risks of being disciplined and misinterpreted.

Determinants Of Public Participation On Women's Leadership In Nyatike Sub County, Migori County, Kenya

This study investigates the socio-economic determinants influencing women's participation in leadership in Nyatike Sub County, Migori County, Kenya. Drawing on feminist theory and participatory development theory, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing quantitative data from 160 respondents through structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from focus group discussions with 20 key informants. The researchers identify critical socio-economic factors such as; income levels, educational opportunities, and resource access that, significantly, impact women's leadership roles. Qualitative findings underscore the importance of education and economic stability, with participants emphasizing that higher education fosters confidence in assuming leadership positions. Additionally, support systems such as women groups are pivotal in empowering women to pursue leadership roles. However, barriers such as limited access to quality education, high poverty levels, economic dependence, gender-based violence (GBV), insufficient networking opportunities, and entrenched cultural norms, hinder women's advancement in leadership. Statistical analysis reveals that 48.8% of respondents identified income level as a crucial determinant of leadership participation, followed by 22.5% citing access to social networks. Descriptive statistics indicate strong engagement in socio-economic activities, with the highest participation in mentorship and leadership development programs (mean = 4.62). The study highlights the perceived importance of public participation in promoting women's leadership, with 74.4% of respondents acknowledging its significance. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions that promote socio-economic empowerment, challenge gender norms, and enhance women’s leadership representation in decision-making processes. Recommendations include community-wide gender sensitization programs, educational initiatives, and enhanced mentorship opportunities to facilitate women's active participation in leadership roles.

Women’s Empowerment in Local and Global Fiction: From Toba Beyond

This study explores women's empowerment in literature, focusing on the interplay between tradition and modernity across different cultural contexts. Employing comparative literary analysis, this research examines Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid and Mangalua by Idris Pasaribu. The methodology involves thematic and narrative analysis, where thematic analysis identifies key motifs related to empowerment, resistance, and gender roles, while narrative analysis examines how each character's story arc reflects broader societal norms. Through these analyses, the study highlights how each protagonist navigates societal expectations and challenges gender norms within traditional and modern frameworks. Findings indicate that both novels use women’s empowerment as a lens to critique and reshape cultural expectations, offering insights into gender roles across varied societies. The study concludes with recommendations for further research on cross-cultural gender narratives, acknowledges the limitations of focusing on only two novels, and suggests broader literary comparisons for future studies.

Decolonizing Gender Dynamics: Reclaiming Lawino’s Voice in Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino

Using Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s decolonization theory, this article argues that Okot p’Bitek’s Song of Lawino reclaims African cultural voice and identity. Even though it is available in English, Song of Lawino is a kind of narrative poetry borrowed from the traditional Acholi song. This study uses contextual and stylistic analysis to show how p’Bitek’s poetry acts as a force for decolonization, advocates for cultural preservation, and addresses collective issues. Findings show that by satirizing African middle-class elites who adhere to Western values, the two chapters from Song of Lawino studied “The Woman with Whom I Share My Husband” and “Let Them Prepare the Malakwang Dish” highlight the clash between European and African cultures. In these poems, Lawino challenges gender dynamics and defends traditional practices, as well as criticizes the shallowness of Westernized lifestyles adopted by her husband Ocol. Through this strong-willed woman’s criticism, Okot p’Bitek’s poetry reveals the negative impacts of credulous cultural assimilation and underlines the import

Unveiling Violence and Masculinity through a Psychoanalytic Study of Sam Shepard's Curse of the Starving Class (1977), Sarah Kane' Blasted (1995) and The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in Bosnian War (1996) by Matei Visniec

The examination of violence and its association with masculinity is depicted in three distinct plays: Blasted, written by Sarah Kane in 1995; Curse of the Starving Class, authored by Sam Shepard in 1977 (it was made into a Hollywood film in 1994); and Matei Vişniec’ The Body of a Woman as a Battlefield in the Bosnian War (1996). Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study employs close textual analysis and an extensive review of relevant literature to examine the representation of violence and masculinity in theatrical framework while also exploring the wider societal implications of such portrayals. The chosen plays present a wide range of viewpoints regarding violence, encompassing both highly intense manifestations of violence and the repercussions of warfare on the individuals. This analysis utilizes Judith Butler's theory of gender construction and Antonio Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty in order to examine the ways in which these plays either challenge or uphold conventional gender. Furthermore, it investigates the intricate correlation between trauma and aggressive conduct as depicted in the plays. By going deeply into the text and exploring its underlying concepts, it reveals the crucial function of theater in tackling and evaluating complex social problems. The plays act as a mirror for society viewpoints, forcing readers and the audiences to face uncomfortable truths about aggression, masculinity, and emotional anguish. The impacts of trauma on individuals and communities are brought to light. These plays demonstrate how war trauma can induce rage and promote violent behavior. It also highlights the power of theater to challenge harmful social conventions and catalyze positive social change by challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics. Improving the audiences understanding of cultural attitudes and potential paths for societal change, this study contributes significantly to the assessment of violence and masculinity as depicted in theatrical performances.

Exiles of love?: uncovering lesbian voices in interwar Czechoslovakia

Lesbian voices and experiences have received little attention in Czech historiography: recent research has concentrated on the modern era from the 1950s. This article deepens our understanding of lesbian lives in interwar Prague. It focuses on two forgotten lesbian novels, Exiles of Love and The Third Sex, which were deliberately suppressed after 1948 by the Communist regime as examples of inferior bourgeois literature. The two authors, Lída Merlínová and Gill Sedláčková, both hailed from Prague’s cultural world (theatre and film) and were active too in the 1930s Czech movement for homosexual reform. Spanning the late twenties to the late thirties, the novels reveal tantalising glimpses of the evolving sub-culture of interwar Prague. Merlínová’s naïve novel of 1929, Exiles of Love, was the first Czech lesbian novel, and it betrayed the 1920s optimism of the ‘Czech New Woman’ who was prepared to challenge gender stereotypes. Sedláčková’s novel, The Third Sex, is a more explicit study from 1937, reflecting the more mature sub-culture but also a cynicism about the chances of homosexual reform. Yet it manages, even more than Exiles, to convey an uplifting and moral message. Indeed, both novels are about lesbian self-knowledge, exploring the scope for same-sex survival in a world where the best solution may be abroad, not in ‘provincial Prague’. In restoring these texts to lesbian literature we recover a range of voices, expressing the hopes and frustrations of some queer Czech women in an unusually liberal era.

Redrawing Gender Boundaries in Selina Hossain’s River of My Blood

This study seeks to examine and reinterpret gender roles shown in the book River of My Blood (Hangor Nodi Grenade, titled in Bangla) by Selina Hossain. Hossain's (2016) work is a compelling story that questions conventional standards by emphasizing the changing experiences of its three central female characters, Boori, Nita, and Ramija. These people live in a society allegedly to be puritanical and misogynistic, in which women have little independence. They are faced with thoughtful questions on the political and sexual persecution of women as well as the differences in political processes. The book, set against the backdrop of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, offers an authentic and detailed account of a significant historical event. Through the characters in this book, the author, Selina Hossain, demonstrates her skill in examining the issue of identity while questioning stereotypical gender norms. This study examines the book's potential to inspire readers by challenging gender stereotypes and presenting perspectives on identity and social roles. This study employed a qualitative research approach, with thematic analysis being the primary method used for data collection. The study showed how the book challenges gender stereotypes and presents perspectives on identity and social roles.

Exploring Gender Roles and Stereotypes in Literature: An Analysis of Contemporary Works

Purpose: This study aims to explore the representation of gender roles and stereotypes in contemporary literature. The analysis was conducted using secondary data from a variety of literary works published in the past decade. The study aimed to investigate how gender dynamics are portrayed and whether traditional gender roles and stereotypes are reinforced or challenged. Methodology: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to select appropriate works for analysis. A total of 30 novels and short stories were selected across different genres, including fiction, drama, and science fiction. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns related to gender roles and stereotypes. Findings: The findings of the study revealed a complex depiction of gender roles in contemporary literature. While some works challenged traditional gender norms and portrayed more fluid, non-stereotypical characters, others reinforced traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Additionally, the study found that the portrayal of gender roles varied across genres, with science fiction and fantasy literature often presenting more progressive and diverse gender representations. The study also identified several common stereotypes associated with gender, such as the nurturing and caring nature of women and the dominance and aggressiveness of men. However, it is important to note that these stereotypes were not universally present, and many works depicted characters who deviated from these norms. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of how gender roles and stereotypes are represented in contemporary literature. It reveals the complexity and diversity of gender dynamics portrayed in literary works, highlighting both the presence of traditional gender roles and stereotypes and the emergence of more fluid and non-stereotypical characters. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The findings suggest that literature has the potential to challenge and redefine gender norms and that the portrayal of gender roles varies across genres. This study provides insights for scholars, educators, and readers interested in understanding and discussing gender representation in literature and encourages further exploration of gender dynamics in contemporary literary works.

Analysis of the distribution of authorship by gender in scientific output: A global perspective

This study presents a thorough examination of gendered scholarly contributions and impact from 2003 to 2023, encompassing details on 212,631,585 authorships indexed in Scopus. The analysis unveils promising advancements towards gender equity, demonstrating an increase in contributions from both genders, which indicates the trend towards a progressive and inclusive environment. These findings challenge an initial perception of male prolificacy. The positive trends extend to female-led research teams, highlighting a correlation between gender balance and leadership. This evolving landscape is reflected in the convergence of male and female authorship participation over time. A decline in citable papers suggests a narrowing of the productivity gap, which challenges gender disparities in impact metrics and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of scholarly excellence across genders. Our data and gender classification method also enables us to look into the country level in order to characterize gender distribution locally. Contrary to conventional assumptions, developing countries are exhibiting a pronounced evolution in female authorship rates. In summary, the study underscores the positive trends towards gender equity, advocating for sustained efforts to promote diversity and foster nuanced understanding in academia.

Fiqh Contestation on Women's Public Leadership in Indonesia and Malaysia: Reproducing Qur'anic and Hadith Interpretations

This paper discusses the contestation of women's public leadership discourse among feminist activists in Indonesia and Malaysia and how the reproduction of fiqh on women's public leadership in both countries takes place. This research is a field study with data collection through interviews and direct interaction with women activists in both countries and documenting their works. Using the Islamic activism approach, it was found that: 1) The issue of women leaders in Indonesia and Malaysia is complex. Women are often held back by culture, religion and politics. Muslim feminist groups face resistance from conservative groups when they try to challenge gender inequality. Furthermore, some sharia law make it harder for women to get legal protection and justice. More legal rights and support for women are therefore required to make politics more equal. 2) Feminist activists in Indonesia and Malaysia have reinterpreted Islamic texts to promote gender equality. They offer gender-responsive interpretation of the Qur'an and Hadith deemed to be fairer while supporting support social justice and gender equality. 3) The fiqh product of leadership concludes that the moral ideal in the Qur'an and hadith is for leaders to be competent (qawwām). People who fit this profile are well-suited to lead, particularly in a country that adheres to democratic principles.

Effects of Gender Stereotypes on Career Aspirations in Adolescents in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of gender stereotypes on career aspirations in adolescents in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: A study in Kenya found that gender stereotypes strongly shape adolescents' career aspirations. Boys lean towards traditionally masculine careers like engineering, while girls are inclined towards feminine roles like nursing. Societal and familial pressures also limit career choices based on gender norms. This highlights the importance of interventions to challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality in education and career opportunities. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social cognitive career theory (SCCT), social role theory & intersectionality theory may be used to anchor future studies on effects of gender stereotypes on career aspirations in adolescents in Kenya. Schools and educational institutions should implement gender-sensitive career counseling programs that challenge traditional gender stereotypes and promote diverse career options for both boys and girls. Policymakers should develop and implement inclusive education policies that promote gender equality and challenge gender stereotypes within the educational system.

Challenging Stereotypes: A Conversation Analysis Approach to Students’ Narratives about Gender

Creating effective prevention programs is essential for reducing gender-based violence (GBV). Research underscores the importance of addressing GBV during early schooling years (Oliver, 2014), as schools, alongside families, serve as primary socialization environments for children and young people. Building on this context, this article presents a study that used prevention-based class seminars to challenge gender stereotypes and prompt reflection on GBV, gender-based discrimination, and gender stereotyping. The study involved approximately 600 minutes of classroom video recordings from five Italian middle school classes, featuring 112 12-year-old pupils during expert-conducted seminars. Using a Conversation Analysis approach, the data analysis reveals the forms of communication and gender narratives produced by the students during the workshops. While some narratives reinforced gender stereotypes and traditional norms, most narratives promoted equal gender relationships. This study contributes to research on violence prevention in schools, demonstrating how school-based programs can significantly impact students’ reflections on gender stereotypes and violence.

Aural Interruptions: The Politics of Sound in Teresa Deevy's Radio Plays

Despite becoming deaf at a young age from Ménière’s disease, Teresa Deevy uses sound in radio dramas to critique how conceptions of the past were materially constraining the possible futures for women in mid-century Ireland. While Deevy remains an understudied playwright, scholars like Caoilfhionn Ní Bheacháin have shown how Deevy’s stage plays challenge gender hierarchies during the Cumann na nGaedhael government and rework forms of naturalism. Few scholars offer sustained analyses of Deevy’s later plays or work on radio, though Emily Bloom’s foundational work on Irish radio modernisms and theorisation of Deevy’s unique forms of engagement with radio and radio dramas inform my examinations of four plays Deevy wrote specifically for radio. Building on current scholarship, this article examines how Deevy drew on the aurality of radio and the in medias res feel of the one-act radio play to reimagine gendered relationships to narrative, place, history and material and built environments amid shifting media and cultural landscapes in mid-century Ireland. In heeding Deevy’s contributions to radio modernism through feminist, ecofeminist and media studies lenses, my analyses demonstrate methods for reading sounds in scripts that reframe how scholars approach Deevy’s later work as they expand studies of Irish radio modernism. Reading sound elements in Dignity (1939) and Within a Marble City (1949) shows how Deevy reworks realist and naturalist forms limiting women’s agency. The auralities in Going Beyond Alma’s Glory (1951) and One Look and What It Led To (1964) meta-critically reflect on the medium of radio to point to a more modernist multiplicity for women’s self-determination. Sounds and silences in and across Deevy’s four radio dramas revise and expand understandings of mid-century Irish naturalisms, realisms and modernisms as they establish an overlooked feminist Irish radio modernism that points to multiple narrative possibilities for women’s self-determination literally hanging in the air.

What's good for the gander is even better for the goose: Women buying commercial sex in China.

Research about the commercial sex industry rarely examines the women who are the clients purchasing sexual services. Examining how this challenges gender stereotypes through the undoing gender framework reveals how gender norms can be reshaped through contextual changes. Based on 3years of ethnographic data from a high-end bar in Tianjin, interviews with 27 female clients and 47 MSWs paint a complex picture of how some women adopted ungendered strategies regarding sexuality. As women take control of their own sexual behavior, they free themselves of some traditional societal expectations about their identity. Primarily motivated by pleasure and control, purchasing sex becomes a means for women to experience empowerment and self-confidence by breaking with traditional gender norms and expectations. Undoing gender involves expanding gendered repertoires, with women finding empowerment in adopting a masculine model of sexuality. However, social stigma and personal efficacy indicate that gender deconstruction is a gradual process. The research contributes to understanding complex gender dynamics and sexual behaviors within commercial sex transactions, shedding light on societal norms and individual agency.

Culturally Diverse Students' Perspectives on Sexual Violence Policies: Recommendations for Culturally Sensitive Approaches to Prevention in Higher Education.

Culturally sensitive approaches in sexual violence prevention (SVP) refer to the proactive measures and strategies designed to address unique cultural circumstances impacting SVP. It focuses on fostering a culture of consent, respect, and equity and creating a safe and supportive environment for all individuals regardless of your identity. Increasing cultural diversity on university campuses poses unique challenges in preventing sexual violence (SV). Cultural diversity brings different perspectives, norms, and values regarding sex, sexuality, and gender roles. It can contribute to varying understandings of consent, differing attitudes toward SV, and diverse victimization experiences. These differences can create barriers to effectively addressing and preventing SV. The multiphase Culture and Perspectives on Sexual Assault Policy study, conducted at four universities in Eastern Canada, employed a qualitative research design involving focus groups with culturally diverse student participants. The findings revealed a strong desire for more education on sex, sexuality, SVP, and the intersections of culture. Additionally, the findings emphasize the importance of education and comprehensive prevention efforts that consider cultural differences, challenge gender normativity, debunk rape myths, and address the shame and secrecy associated with experiencing SV. These insights have significant implications for promoting a sense of community ownership, increasing the effectiveness and sustainability of prevention efforts, and helping to create a campus environment where all students feel safe, supported, and valued.

A safe space in a strange place: A case study of the safety mechanisms of CrossFit culture

AbstractBased on a 1‐year ethnographic case study of a Copenhagen‐based CrossFit gym we demonstrate how an organized training place is made physically, psychologically, and socially safe. This we show empirically by analyzing how the local multi‐sited CrossFit gym ‘CHALK’ maintains its safe space through three organizing mechanisms: (1) coach‐led learning progression and practice of the physical craft of CrossFit exercise, intended to prevent injury; (2) a dynamic relation between ‘Rx’ and ’scaling’, that is, setting universal standards for an exercise (Rx) and adjusting to individual levels of competence (scaling), actively preventing the high intensity workout from becoming high risk and from setting idealized norms that only few can live up to, but feel compelled to pursue nonetheless; (3) an egalitarian culture whose practice enables members to participate regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socio‐economic class, sexual orientation, and prior exercise experience. Our ethnomethodological approach further allows us to discuss how certain signifiers of difference are recognized but either do not become salient or do not matter in respect to the functional training. Rather, we find and argue for the possibility to engage in ‘tomboy‐ish behavior’ that challenges gender and other identity performances in CHALK. In identifying necessary and sufficient conditions for establishing safe space, the article contributes to extant literature, showing how safe space can emerge as an effect of everyday practice, in contrast to being intentional and declared.

THE IMPACT OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING ON HUMANITARIAN AID DELIVERY: A POLICY ANALYSIS

Gender mainstreaming in humanitarian aid delivery has become increasingly important in recent years as organizations seek to address the differential impact of crises on women, men, girls, and boys. This policy analysis examines the impact of gender mainstreaming on humanitarian aid delivery, focusing on its effectiveness in promoting gender equality and improving the overall outcomes of humanitarian interventions. The analysis explores the evolution of gender mainstreaming in humanitarian aid, highlighting key policy frameworks and guidelines that have shaped its implementation. It also examines the challenges and limitations associated with gender mainstreaming, including issues related to funding, capacity building, and coordination among humanitarian actors. Furthermore, the analysis assesses the impact of gender mainstreaming on the design, implementation, and monitoring of humanitarian programs. It examines how gender considerations have been integrated into needs assessments, program design, and evaluation processes, and how this has influenced the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian aid delivery. The analysis also considers the broader implications of gender mainstreaming on humanitarian action, including its potential to transform power dynamics, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote women's leadership in humanitarian decision-making processes. It highlights the importance of adopting a gender-sensitive approach that recognizes and addresses the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women, men, girls, and boys in humanitarian settings. Overall, this policy analysis underscores the critical importance of gender mainstreaming in humanitarian aid delivery and calls for greater commitment and investment in gender-responsive programming. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening gender mainstreaming efforts, including enhancing coordination among humanitarian actors, increasing funding for gender-sensitive programming, and promoting gender equality within humanitarian organizations. Keywords: Impact: Gender Mainstreaming, Humanitarian, Aid Delivery, Policy Analysis.

Feminist Architecture and Challenging Gender-biased Urbanization through Architectural Practice: an Overview of Equitable Environment

This paper explores the concept of feminist architecture and its potential to challenge gender norms and stereotypes in urban design. Women face specific challenges in urban spaces, including safety concerns, lack of accessibility, and discrimination. Feminist architecture offers a potential solution to these challenges by providing a framework that prioritizes the needs and experiences of marginalized groups, including women. The study employs a mixed-methods approach to conduct a review of relevant literature, case studies, and examples of feminist architecture from around the world to address research questions related to barriers and benefits of implementing feminist architecture in mainstream design practices. After identifying obstacles, this paper offers concrete strategies to overcome these barriers and the findings suggest that by prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability, and democracy, feminist architecture principles offer a framework for designing urban environments that are just, equitable, and empowering for all individuals. However, despite the potential gains of incorporating feminist architecture into the design process, there are several barriers and limitations that designers may face. Therefore, to overcome these barriers and limitations, implementing feminist architecture principles require a commitment to understanding how gender operates in society, financial support, policy advocacy, and collaborative approaches among designers. By creating inclusive, gender-neutral, and supportive spaces and promoting diversity and inclusion within learning and practice, feminist architecture has the capacity to transform the built environment and make it more inclusive, equitable, and just for everyone.

Making Gender and Sexuality Studies Illegal: Heteronationalism, Anti-gender Mobilization, and the Neoliberal "Utopian" Gaze in Bulgaria, 2018–2023

Abstract: The past decade has witnessed an escalating, well-financed, and well-organized international mobilization against any study, policy, or discussion related to gender or LGBTQI+ issues in many parts of the world. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been disproportionately affected by this backlash, resulting in public threats and violence against scholars and representatives of the nongovernmental sector who work on gender and LGBTQI+ issues. The anti-gender mobilization has been extremely successful in Bulgaria, where there have been numerous threats against scholars, nongovernmental organizations, and public figures dealing with gender and sexuality issues. The Bulgarian Constitutional Court was the first court on a global level to pronounce the term "gender" anti-constitutional in response to a request submitted by the government regarding ratification of the so-called Istanbul Convention. Dealing with gender and LGBTQI+ studies in Bulgaria is believed to be "illegal" by many, based on the court's decision. As a result, any approaches to gender and sexuality that do not fit essentialist and religious beliefs have become dangerous and have endangered knowledge in many contexts. In this paper, I discuss the rapid development of the anti-gender mobilization within certain neoliberal discourses and values, and using the concept of a "neoliberal utopian gaze," I outline the challenges gender and sexuality studies have faced. Based on case studies, personal experiences, and public discourses, the paper explores how gender and sexuality studies have been affected by (1) institutional decisions, (2) manipulation of scientific information, (3) radical political populism, (4) transnational religious movements, and (5) the advancement of social media. Finally, the paper discusses possible solutions to this alarming trend, paying particular attention to academic solidarity, knowledge production, and institutionally coordinated policies.