About
In this thought-provoking piece, Julia Mazurkiewicz, current WAVE Youth Ambassador from Poland, explores how feminism is increasingly politicised, misrepresented, and weaponised in public discourse, particularly in the context of electoral shifts and far-right gains. Drawing on current political developments, the article offers a powerful reflection on the risks of narrowing feminism into simplified or elitist narratives, and reaffirms its intersectional roots as a movement for collective liberation. With critical insight and urgency, the piece calls for reclaiming feminist language, resisting backlash, and reasserting feminism as a transformative force for justice and equality.
Written by
Julia Mazurkiewicz, 4th generation WAVE Youth Ambassador (Poland)1
Across the world today, we are witnessing a growing backlash against what has long been labelled “feminist issues”. Sexuality, reproductive rights, and protection from domestic violence are increasingly politicised and weaponised. In many countries, this backlash is mirrored in the electoral successes of far-right parties that position themselves explicitly against feminism.
In Poland, where I come from, these issues came to the forefront following the recent elections and the victory of Karol Nawrocki, technically an independent candidate but practically representing the PIS (Law and Justice Party).
The victory of this candidate represents a major setback for feminist communities, who had fought hard for change and played a key role in the government shift during the 2023 elections, hoping for a more progressive agenda. However, in these elections, feminist demands were sidelined, since the president-elect is openly opposed to their cause and holds veto power, further limiting their influence.
The election was extremely close, with around 10 million votes for the more progressive side and just over 10 million for the regressive candidate, highlighting a deeply divided society. These developments have left feminist communities increasingly frustrated and disillusioned. The strategies that once seemed effective now appear insufficient, and there is growing concern about what the future holds.
Simultaneously, support for the far right continues to grow. Candidates from the far-right Confederation party, such as Sławomir Mentzen and Grzegorz Braun, respectively received 15% and 6% of the votes, openly promoting anti-feminist agendas, referring to rape as a “discomfort for women” and defending a “traditional” heteronormative family model.
What Does This Mean for Women?
It means that women’s rights are once again under threat. Hard-won protections, including those against gender-based violence, are being rolled back. We see this vividly in debates surrounding the Istanbul Convention, where safeguarding women from violence has become a political battleground. Suddenly, everyone has an opinion, and often not a supportive one.
The world appears increasingly divided into “us” versus “them.” The polarisation and politicisation of feminist issues are intensifying, hostility is mounting, and only a few truly understand what all of this means. So, what is this really about? Why did feminism and its associated demands become again some of the most politicised topics in the world?
Feminism as a Shared Struggle
When we hear the word “feminism,” some people picture angry, protesting women demanding more rights, calling for workplace equality, access to abortion or sexual freedom. Or perhaps the image that comes to mind is a woman in red lipstick, a corporate executive giving workshops on “female leadership.” A woman, a “feminist” who made it to the top. Is that what feminism is — a fight for women to “live like men,” or even better? The dominant portrayal of feminism as a “women vs. men” movement fuels the backlash. Young men, especially those aged 18–30, are increasingly drawn to anti-feminist parties. Meanwhile, women in the same age group overwhelmingly support progressive, left-wing parties. Why such a divide? Perhaps the answer lies in a simplified, misleading narrative. If feminism is portrayed as serving to uplift only women, it’s no wonder that men feel excluded.. But is this really what feminism is about? Nothing could be more wrong! Feminism should not divide people into those who “climb to the top” and those who help them get there. It is about rights for women, but not only. So, who is feminism really for?
Let’s return to the basics. US-American Black feminist thinker bell hooks offered a simple, universal definition of feminism:
“Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.”
It’s not an ideology of “women versus men,” but a struggle against all forms of discrimination. Contemporary feminism — especially in its intersectional form — makes this clear: it’s about equality for all, regardless of gender, identity, orientation, class, or background. It’s about enabling everyone to live authentically, with dignity, and on equal terms — where men don’t have to be “tough” and women don’t have to “be more like men” to succeed. Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge the roots of feminism — the tireless fight of countless feminists, often invisible and unrecognised, that paved the way for the inclusive, intersectional understanding we have today. Their hard work translated into significant progress, including landmark achievements such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains one of the most comprehensive and progressive global blueprints for achieving gender equality.
So why are so many people still against feminism? Because the feminism that dominates media narratives has been turned into a political product. It’s been simplified, chopped into slogans, and marketed as a movement of liberal elites fighting for privileges, not justice. This strengthens the image of neoliberal feminism, focused on individual success while ignoring systemic, class-based, racial, and global inequalities.
The takeaway
As anti-feminist narratives grow louder and more politically influential, particularly in the context of rising far-right movements, the core values of feminism are being distorted, co-opted, and weaponised. What began as a grassroots, justice-driven movement is too often repackaged in simplistic, depoliticised slogans or used as a tool for exclusion and division.
The backlash we are witnessing is not just about disagreement, it is a calculated effort to undermine solidarity, erase feminist histories, and pit people against each other. In this climate, it is essential to remember that feminism was never about power over others, it is about liberation for all.
We must resist the framing of feminism as an elite or divisive agenda and reassert its roots: a movement to end all forms of sexist oppression and exploitation. That means reclaiming its language, its vision, and its power, refusing to let it be stripped of its meaning or used against the very people it seeks to empower.
Feminism is not a trend, nor a threat. It is a living, evolving struggle for justice, and it belongs to all who believe in equality, dignity, and freedom.
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
