By Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser

The growing visibility of anti-feminism in Latin America is not an isolated trend but a deliberate political strategy. In this op-ed, Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser examines how far-right actors harness anti-feminist rhetoric to mobilize voters, resist the expansion of rights, and contest the very meaning of democracy.

While much of the current news paints a grim picture of democracy, a longer-term view offers a more hopeful perspective. Historically marginalized groups have gaining visibility and influence in many democracies across the world. Two factors help explain this trend. First, rising levels of education and economic development have led to a gradual shift in values, making citizens more receptive to progressive ideas. Second, a range of actors—including national and international NGOs, political parties, and social movements—have raised awareness about the need for all members of society to feel part of a shared community and to enjoy equal rights.

The advancement of women serves as a particularly illustrative example. Compare their role in democratic societies during the 1970s with their current position: despite ongoing discrimination, women today hold significantly more political and economic power and occupy positions of influence and symbolic importance. Latin America reflects this global trend. Despite the flaws in democratic systems within the region, important improvements have been made: women have entered local governments, parliaments, ministries, and even presidential offices. From Chile to Mexico, we now see not only male presidents, managers, and university rectors—but also women in those roles. Their increased presence in power has helped bring women’s issues into public debate and has facilitated the development of gender-focused public policies. For progressives, much of this development is the result of sustained feminist activism.

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From Chile to Mexico, we now see not only male presidents, managers, and university rectors—but also women in those roles. Their increased presence in power has helped bring women’s issues into public debate and has facilitated the development of gender-focused public policies.

Still, not everyone welcomes these changes. Some view the push for gender equality with skepticism. The far right, in particular, has actively politicized the issue, arguing that it is time to dismantle so-called cultural Marxism and ‘woke’ ideology. In a widely discussed speech earlier this year at Davos, Argentine President Javier Milei announced that his administration would seek to eliminate the legal category of femicide, employment quotas for sexual minorities, and gender parity in electoral lists.

Some view the push for gender equality with skepticism. The far right, in particular, has actively politicized the issue, arguing that it is time to dismantle so-called cultural Marxism and ‘woke’ ideology.

Such rhetoric does not emerge in a vacuum; it resonates with certain sectors of the public. Despite the centrality of this discourse, we know relatively little about the size and profile of the population that supports anti-feminist views. To explore this, the Laboratorio para el Estudio de la Ultraderecha (Laboratory for the Study of the Far Right) conducted high-quality, representative, face-to-face surveys in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, and Mexico. These surveys included items designed to measure anti-feminist attitudes—statements that reflect negative perceptions and stereotypes about feminist ideas and activists.

One item asked respondents whether they agreed with the statement: ‘Women use feminism to gain unfair advantage over men.’ As the chart below shows, the responses were quite polarized. Although a plurality disagreed (about 45%), a substantial portion agreed (around 40%). In Brazil, for example, nearly 30% strongly agreed and 40% strongly disagreed with the statement.

Women use feminism to gain unfair advantage over men.

The data collected on anti-feminist attitudes in Latin America reveal important insights. One finding stands out as both expected and troubling: in every country studied, men were more likely than women to express anti-feminist views. In short, opposition to gender equality tends to be driven more by men than by women.

Beyond this gender divide, the findings suggest that those who express strong anti-feminist views are also more likely to oppose abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and adoption by same-sex couples. They are also more inclined to support the death penalty and more permissive gun laws.

Far-right discourse is thus aimed at mobilizing a segment of the electorate that is ideologically cohesive. The rise and success of far-right forces seem closely tied to an electoral realignment—one in which different voters unite around ideas that seek to block or reverse progress toward broader inclusion of historically marginalized groups. Viewed in this light, the politicization of anti-feminism is a strategic effort to garner electoral support behind a platform that challenges democratic expansion.

The rise and success of far-right forces seem closely tied to an electoral realignment—one in which different voters unite around ideas that seek to block or reverse progress toward broader inclusion of historically marginalized groups.

Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser is Professor of Political Science at the Pontificia Universidad Católica.

This piece was originally published in Spanish by the newspaper El País (Spain).