For well over a decade, we’ve watched fundamental principles ‒ clarity in law, the meaning of “woman”, the basis for sex-based rights ‒ erode under the weight of ideological capture. It is a structural transformation, reshaping how institutions across Europe understand rights, build policy and allocate resources and power.
In the European Union and the Council of Europe, policies are being rewritten in ways that obscure sex as a legal and material reality. Rather than through legislation, these shifts advance via guidelines, recommendations, strategies, and other soft law instruments that reshape norms without public debate. This has enabled the rapid spread of gender identity frameworks into a wide array of sectors, from employment and education to health care and social services, anti-discrimination, sports, civil society funding and the collection of data and statistics, as well as the training of judicial, law enforcement, administrative and equality bodies.
Democratic processes are undermined. Human rights are redefined. Free speech is curtailed. Women’s single-sex spaces disappear. The rights of lesbians and gay men are eroded. Children and adolescents are denied age-appropriate care and protection. Education is captured by ideology. Data on women’s health and sex-based violence becomes unreliable. Fair competition in sport collapses. Healthcare is compromised. Core statistics are distorted.
We believe it is time to respond. That is why we set up Athena Forum: A European initiative for sex-based rights, democratic values and political courage.
It brings together the networks, strategies and evidence this moment demands. This is a monumental undertaking. Will you join us?
Your voice matters
We are building a platform across Europe to restore sex-based rights and democratic debate. Find out more about how to add your voice.