By Ariane Wolf and Elisabeth Hell, Violence Prevention Network

This publication is aimed at protagonists involved in the prevention of extremism and shows why sexist and anti-feminist ideologies are core elements of extremist ideologies and movements.

Anti-feminist and sexist ideologies

• are based on ideas of the biological inequality of human beings (anti-egalitarianism) and legitimise relationships of superiority and subordination. They therefore obstruct democratic aspirations.
  
• are central to extremist groups in terms of strategy, organisation and content.
  
• are used as a basis for legitimising violence within and outside extremist groups.
  
• tie in with socially widespread sexist and anti-feminist ideologies and offer broad mobilisation potential.
  
• provide the legitimising basis for the exercise of violence on a spectrum ranging from devaluations and hostility to sexualised violence, terrorist attacks and femicides.

They are by no means less questionable and radicalising than other anti-egalitarian demonstrations of extremist ideologies. In the prevention of extremism, the task of which includes the prevention of violence as well as dealing with anti-democratic ideologies and aspirations, the confrontation with sexism and anti-feminism should consequently play a central role.

Please download Issue 8 here.