Opposition to gender equality work is widespread across the Nordic region.
The survey responses show clear patterns of opposition across civil society, academia and government. The majority of professionals working in gender equality reported having experienced one or more forms of opposition, threats, or harassment.
Harassment most commonly occurs online, but also in hybrid forms.
There is a correlation between online visibility and the risk of being targeted. Social media platforms constitute the primary arena for harassment, with 93% of those who experienced harassment reporting that it took place online.
Hybrid forms of harassment are also common, including threats or harassment at events (44%), legal threats (42%), and doxing (25%).
Severe forms of threats occur in all Nordic countries.
The survey findings indicate that serious forms of opposition are present across the Nordic region. Threats of legal measures and doxing were reported in every Nordic country included in the survey. Taken together and across the Nordic region, respondents reported the following forms of opposition to their gender equality work. Respondents reported for instance the following:
Frequency of opposition is high and closely linked to visibility.
Nearly one quarter of respondents reported experiencing opposition on a weekly basis, and over half reported experiencing opposition at least monthly.
Sector-specific patterns suggest different strategies of opposition.
Civil society organisations (CSOs):
68.4% experienced threats or harassment at the organisational level; 50% at the individual level.
Common forms included event-based harassment, legal threats, sexual harassment, and doxing.
Academia:
High incidence of online harassment, smear campaigns, doxing, legal threats, and threats to academic freedom.
Gender studies scholars were highly targeted.
Government officials:
Discursive opposition is widespread and partly reflects patterns of anti-gender rhetoric identified in existing research.
Respondents across all sectors reported encountering recurring discursive arguments, including:
Claims that “gender is ideological and should be replaced with biological sex” (61%).
Claims that gender equality “privileges women and girls” or “dismisses men’s issues” (over 55%).
Narratives associated in existing research with nationalist, anti-LGBTQI+, or anti-feminist framing.
Impacts on individuals, institutions and Nordic democratic participation are significant.
Reported impacts of opposition to gender equality work include:
Self-censorship in research, teaching and public engagement.
Avoidance of certain topics (especially LGBTQI+ rights, anti-racism, and gender-based violence).
Exhaustion, stress and sick leave.
Withdrawal from public debate.
Reduced organisational capacity and delays in equality measures.
Restrictions on academic freedom and weakened civil society participation.
LGBTQI+ work, particularly transgender-related issues, is at heightened risk.
Transgender-related topics triggered some of the strongest backlash across sectors.
Respondents reported transphobic hate speech, misinformation, being put on hate lists, and accusations that trans rights contradict women’s rights.
Respondents expressed concern about democratic backsliding.
82% believe gender equality is under threat.
60% anticipate rising violent extremism in the region.
Several open-ended responses linked and framed encountered pushback to right-wing politics, anti-gender mobilisation, and structural attacks on civil society.
Many organisations have response plans, but preventive support systems remain insufficient.
60% reported having a response plan for dealing with threats, and the most valued support mechanisms were:
Stronger legal protections (47%).
Public statements supporting targeted individuals (46%).
Psychological support and supervisor training (44%).
Practical workshops on risk assessment and countering online hate (33%).