This resource draws together some effective tools and strategies to prepare for and respond to backlash and resistance to gender equality initiatives. It’s intended to support the people working for gender equality in a range of sectors – education, sport, workplace, local government, health and media.

Every person or group pushing for progressive social change understands that at some point in our journey we’ll come up against people who don’t agree with what we are doing. Yet it still often takes us by surprise when people we thought would be our allies deny the problem or look away.

If you are working to promote gender equality and tackle inequality you can expect to meet resistance. It may occur in any setting. It may come from individuals or collectively, and from men or women.

How do you prepare for it? What are effective responses?

This publication describes the forms that resistance can take and provides some practical examples from local gender equality initiatives. There are also links to other useful resources from Australia and around the world.

It is guided by a Queensland University of Technology evidence review on backlash to gender equality by Michael Flood, Molly Dragiewicz and Bob Pease, commissioned by VicHealth in 2017 (#5855). From the document).

See also the online guide - 13 steps to tackle gender discrimination. Download all resources from the website. Record #5854