Gender as an enemy? How right-wing extremist movements mobilise via gender images

This event is part of the programme accompanying the Inge Deutschkron Prize.

We are delighted to welcome Heike Radvan, Professor and Dr. for Right-Wing Extremism Research, to the Foundation on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 17:30 on the topic of „Gender as an enemy image? How right-wing extremist movements mobilise via gender images“.

Sexism, anti-feminism and queerophobia are no longer marginalised topics of right-wing ideology. Whether online, on the street or in the Bundestag, right-wing extremists deliberately spread an image of ‘real’ men and ‘German mothers’, warn against allegedly destructive feminism and talk of ‘imported violence’. Gender roles and family images are used as a political weapon – also to create an atmosphere against minorities, migrants and queer people. Right-wing actors specifically address socially relevant topics such as sexualised violence, abuse or women’s rights – not to protect those affected, however, but to strengthen racist narratives and delegitimise political opponents.

However, gender not only plays a central role in the right-wing’s enemy stereotypes. It also influences how young people become involved in right-wing scenes – or turn away from them. While young men are often addressed through dominant images of masculinity, girls are idealised as the bearers of the ‘national community’. However, they are often underestimated in their role. Right-wing extremist women also play a central role in terms of propaganda and radicalisation – both online and offline.

We are delighted to welcome Heike Radvan, holder of the Chair of Right-Wing Extremism Research at the University of Tübingen, on Wednesday 30 April at 5.30 pm.

Together with you and Heike Radvan, we want to discuss the following and other questions: How are sexualised violence, women’s rights and equality instrumentalised by the right? What role does anti-feminism play in the mobilisation of right-wing movements? How do right-wing extremist ideologies influence gender roles and images in our society, especially among young people? What makes right-wing images of masculinity so attractive to young men? Why are girls and women so often underestimated in the right-wing scene? What educational, political and social responses are needed? What can protection and support for particularly affected groups look like in concrete terms?

We look forward to your participation and ask you to register online or by e-mail by 29 April 2025.