How gender narratives fuel polarization

Across Europe, debates about gender equality are increasingly part of broader political polarization. What once appeared as isolated disagreements over feminism, LGBTQI+ rights, or gender policies are now deeply intertwined with distrust of institutions, anti-immigration attitudes, conspiracy thinking, and extremist narratives circulating online. New research from the ARENAS project (Analysis of and Responses to Extremist Narratives) shows that anti-gender-equality attitudes are among the strongest predictors of susceptibility to extremist narratives across Europe.

The research was conducted in Cyprus, France, Latvia, and Spain ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections, a period marked by heightened political mobilization, growing polarization, and intensified online communication. More than 6,000 respondents participated in surveys assessing citizens' perceptions of democracy, national identity, gender equality, science, migration, and institutional trust.

Researchers found that gender has become one of the central “battlefields” through which extremist narratives spread across Europe. The report identifies gender, nation, and science as the three major arenas where polarizing narratives increasingly shape public discourse.

Rather than focusing solely on gender equality, these narratives often link fears of social change to broader anxieties about national identity, migration, cultural transformation, and democratic institutions. Anti-gender narratives frequently portray feminism and LGBTQI+ rights as threats to traditional values, social cohesion, or national identity, while simultaneously reinforcing “us versus them” worldviews that are common within extremist communication.

The comparative nature of the research shows that these dynamics vary across countries yet follow remarkably similar patterns.

In France, political polarization, distrust of institutions, and economic insecurity intersect strongly with anti-gender attitudes. Researchers observed that respondents with lower trust in institutions were more likely to support narratives that oppose gender equality and to express greater skepticism toward democratic systems and scientific expertise. At the same time, identity-related debates over immigration and national cohesion continue to amplify emotionally charged narratives online and in political discourse.

In Spain, researchers identified the growing influence of “culture-war” narratives on feminism, gender rights, and identity politics. The findings show that political extremity and perceptions of societal threat significantly shape susceptibility to anti-gender narratives. Spain also became a key country for the project’s experimental research on social media environments and extremist communication.

Latvia presents another important dimension of polarization, in which historical experiences, identity politics, and geopolitical sensitivities strongly shape public attitudes. The findings indicate that anti-gender narratives are more likely to resonate with respondents who hold right-leaning political views, are more religious, and have lower trust in institutions. Researchers also emphasize that identity boundaries and perceptions of external threats continue to influence how citizens respond to democratic debates and public narratives.

In Cyprus, the relationship among religiosity, national identity, and political attitudes is particularly pronounced. The report shows that religious beliefs and political orientation significantly shape attitudes toward gender equality and susceptibility to polarized narratives. The Cypriot case also highlights how issues related to security, identity, and belonging can intensify receptiveness to emotionally charged narratives.

One of the most significant findings of the ARENAS research concerns the role of digital platforms in amplifying polarization. Researchers conducted an experimental intervention asking participants to unfollow far-right extremist social media accounts over a four-week period. The results showed measurable decreases in anti-democratic attitudes and radicalism among participants who reduced their exposure to extremist online content.

The findings reinforce growing concerns that online ecosystems contribute to the normalization of hostility, distrust, and polarized thinking. Extremist narratives increasingly rely on emotionally charged storytelling, simplified explanations, and binary oppositions between “ordinary people” and perceived enemies or outsiders. These communication patterns are particularly effective during periods of uncertainty, insecurity, and political contestation.

The ARENAS project highlights that democratic resilience cannot be strengthened by fact-checking or regulation alone. The findings suggest that resilience also depends on rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, supporting inclusive public discourse, strengthening scientific literacy, reducing social insecurity, and addressing the emotional dynamics that enable polarizing narratives to spread so effectively online.

According to Alise Vītola, researcher of the association Creative Ideas: “Extremist narratives portray the world through an 'us versus them' divide, and this polarization is increasingly reflected in gender-related issues, where debates around equality, identity, and rights have become battlegrounds in many societies. Such developments not only undermine progress toward inclusive and democratic societies but also contribute to the normalization of discriminatory attitudes and the erosion of fundamental human rights that have been fought for over many decades of social and political struggle.”

The ARENAS research demonstrates that gender-related polarization is no longer a marginal issue in European politics. It is now deeply intertwined with broader struggles over democracy, identity, trust, and social cohesion, making gender a key dimension for understanding how extremist narratives gain traction in contemporary Europe.

The Association “Creative Ideas” coordinates the Latvian contribution to the ARENAS project in collaboration with international research partners across Europe.

The project is being implemented from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2027, as part of the EU’s “Horizon Europe” program (2021–2027).

Published: 25th May, 2026

Image generated using artificial intelligence

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