Episode 51

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Published on:

19th Feb 2025

Confronting Backlash - Aleks Dimitrijevic

The backlash against gender equality, or what its advocates describe with terms such as 'gender ideology' and 'wokeism', is reaching an ever-rising crescendo in Europe and countries across the globe. It poses a major threat to the hard-won achievements of the feminist movement. But what are the forces pushing the 'anti-gender movement' – and how should we respond to it? How is it manifesting itself differently in different countries, and how are politicians exploiting it? How is it seeking to antagonise men's insecurities, whilst offering few solutions to the problems they face? And what can organisations working with boys and men, and each of us as individuals, do in this critical moment? Expert Aleks Dimitrijevic provides us with vital insights. 

Aleks is the co-founder and president of Men Against Violence in Malta, and a member of the Steering Committee of MenEngage Europe. He talks to us about how Malta was until recently the only country in the EU to completely outlaw abortion, how activists are continuing to struggle to lift the draconian restrictions against it, and the personal challenges he and his family have faced for campaigning in this area.

Thank you to Dom Stichbury and Chaps Choir for our new podcast music, with their song 'Now is time' https://www.facebook.com/ChapsChoir/

Episode timeline

  • Introduction
  • Gender (in)equality in Malta (02:12-05:17)
  • The struggle to lift Malta’s abortion ban (05:17-08:01)
  • Religious obstacles (08:01-10:39)
  • Personal challenges Aleks and his family have faced (10:39-15:04)
  • What is backlash? (15:04-17:05)
  • Key issues for the 'anti-gender' movement (17:05-20:17)
  • Resistance to preventing violence against women (20:17-26:13)
  • The weaponisation of men’s issues (26:13-29:08)
  • The 'men’s rights' movement (29:08-38:15)
  • Break
  • Right-wing populism and the mainstreaming of the 'anti-gender' movement (38:18-44:53)
  • What people working with boys and men can do about it (44:53-48:27)
  • Who is funding the backlash (48:27-51:36)
  • Communicating in a language men and boys understand (51:36-55:47)
  • Conclusion [Connections with climate denial; Struggles on the left; Parallels with the 1930s; Majority opinion; Building the next generation of activists] (55:47-01:02:24)

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About the Podcast

Now and Men
Current conversations about men's lives
What's it like to be a man in the 21st century? How are feminist issues relevant to men and boys? How can we engage in productive conversations about gender equality? These questions are being discussed more than ever.

Our monthly podcast delves into these issues with experts such as practitioners, activists and academics. In each episode, you’ll hear in-depth conversations about a wide-range of topics connected to masculinity and the lives of men and boys, from supporting men's health, to preventing gender-based violence, to promoting involved fatherhood.

The podcast is hosted by two social science researchers, based on the opposite sides of the world: Sandy Ruxton from Durham University's Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (UK) and Dr Stephen Burrell from the University of Melbourne (Australia). If you would like to give us your feedback, suggest a guest, or have a question you'd like us to discuss, get in touch at nowandmen@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, please share us with your friends, and leave a review!

About your hosts

Stephen Burrell

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I am a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Melbourne. I'm originally from the UK, and moved to Australia at the beginning of 2024. My research is about men, masculinities, and violence. I am particularly interested in the prevention of men's violence - especially violence against women, and violence against the environment - and promoting care as an alternative. I'm a big fan of feminism, drinking tea, connecting with nature, eating vegan snacks, and listening to heavy metal.

Sandy Ruxton

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Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Sociology at Durham University (UK). Independent researcher, expert on men and masculinities. Previous policy work on human rights, children and families, poverty and social exclusion, and asylum and migration. Programme experience with boys and young men in schools, community, and prisons. Steering Committee member, MenEngage Europe. Volunteer for OX4 Food Crew. Chess-player, bike-rider, tree-hugger. Great grandfather edited Boy's Own Paper, but was sacked.