{
"authors": [
"Saskia Brechenmacher",
"Tara Chandra",
"Míriam Juan-Torres Gonzalez",
"Laura Livingston"
],
"type": "event",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"programAffiliation": "DCG",
"programs": [
"Democracy, Conflict, and Governance"
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"topics": [
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}
How Authoritarians Weaponize Gender
Thu, February 19th, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)
Live Online
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Gender has become a pivotal battleground in many countries experiencing democratic erosion. Across regions, illiberal political leaders and parties are advancing narratives focused on traditional values, anti-feminism, and opposition to “gender ideology” to mobilize popular support. What is the relationship between gender and authoritarianism or illiberal politics? Why has gender emerged as a salient faultline in multiple contemporary cases of democratic backsliding?
Join Saskia Brechenmacher, a senior fellow with Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program, for a conversation with the authors of (En)Gendering Authoritarianism, Tara Chandra, Míriam Juan-Torres, and Laura Livingston, to examine their new report examining how gender is deployed strategically by authoritarian leaders seeking to consolidate power—and the implications for defending and building inclusive democracies.
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
Event Speakers
Saskia Brechenmacher
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Saskia Brechenmacher is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where her research focuses on gender, civil society, and democratic governance in the United States and globally.
Tara Chandra
Tara Chandra is a consultant, researcher, and writer focused on U.S. foreign policy, human rights, tech policy, and gender.
Míriam Juan-Torres Gonzalez
Head of Research, Democracy & Belonging Forum, Othering & Belonging Institute at University of California Berkley
Míriam Juan-Torres is the head of research at the Democracy & Belonging Forum at the Othering & Belonging Institute, University of California Berkeley, where her work centers on authoritarian populism, polarization, and human rights.
Laura Livingston
Senior Director of Field Support, Over Zero
Laura Livingston is the senior director of Field Support at Over Zero, an organization dedicated to building societal resilience to political and identity-based violence.