Macarena Saez
Executive Director, Women’s Rights, Human Rights Watch
Authoritarian regimes consistently restrict women’s and girls’ rights more severely than rights-respecting democracies. But today’s rising authoritarian governments differ from 20th-century dictatorships.
In the past, restrictions on women’s rights were often embedded within broader ideological struggles, between Marxism and capitalism, nationalism and anti-colonialism, rather than as a central political target. Today, gender and sexuality are declared enemies.
Governments seeking to entrench authoritarianism don’t stumble into restricting women’s rights; they’re deliberately attacked. Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and other leaders embracing autocratic policies have added a new enemy they call “gender ideology,” invoking a past when women were not only subservient but had few rights and domestic violence was considered a private matter.
Global crackdowns on women’s rights
Putin has declared that “the most important thing for every woman… is family” and “taking tireless care of children.” The Russian government has cracked down on women’s rights organisations, passed a law with administrative sanctions for promoting a “childfree ideology,” and adopted regulations and policies that increasingly encroach on the right to abortion — all while ensuring Putin can stay in power indefinitely.
The Trump administration has vilified women’s autonomy, promoting anti-abortion laws and cutting US funds from foreign groups that provide or even discuss abortion. His administration has rolled back non-discrimination workplace regulations and civil rights. He has pushed to end gender-affirming care for trans people under the false pretence of “defending women from gender ideology extremism,” while simultaneously advancing claims of expansive executive authority and undermining confidence in electoral institutions.
hallmarks of authoritarian power grabs often include efforts to control women.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele rejects what he calls “gender ideology” as “antinatural, antigod and antifamily,” as well as rejecting the idea of legalising abortion and same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, the legislature, in which his party holds a majority, amended the constitution to allow indefinite presidential re-election.
Afghanistan represents the worst case. Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from education beyond sixth grade. They have severely restricted women’s employment as well as their freedom of movement, expression and association. The Taliban routinely detain outspoken critics and women protesters.
Across vastly different contexts, hallmarks of authoritarian power grabs often include efforts to control women. A blueprint for totalitarian control.
Seeds of hope for women’s rights
Yet resistance persists. In Minneapolis, women of all ages protect their communities from ICE enforcement despite serious risks. In Iran, women suffer brutal repression while fighting for a new political system — not just fighting for their rights, but for everyone’s.
We should recognise that denying women’s autonomy is an indicator of the scale of authoritarian ambitions. Protect it, and you protect everyone’s freedom. Ignore it at your peril.
