Women’s movements are often dismissed as marginal players to the survival of democratic systems, but feminist mobilisations have been at the forefront of democratic struggles for decades.

New ODI research underscores how women’s movements are leading the push for democratic governance and inclusion, particularly in contexts of eroding civic space or where democracies are increasingly authoritarian. Yet, they face growing backlash from a rising tide of politicised religion.

Based on interviews with activists from a set of religiously and politically diverse contexts, findings show how religious politics is not only central to contemporary backlash against gender equality but also to attacks to democratic institutions.

This renewed dominance of institutionalised religious authority in political life means women rely heavily on secular institutions, such as civil courts and secular legal and constitutional frameworks, to advance their claims and hold back the influence of politicised religion – at great personal risk.

The findings from Argentina, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan and Sudan show how women’s movements have had a historical role to play in pushing for democratic reforms, as well as being key to defending democracy today.

Report by the Overseas Development Institute