Abstract
This article reflects on the current condition of Gender Studies in Brazil, examining the institutional fragility, political disputes, and future possibilities shaping the field in contemporary society. Although Gender Studies has achieved important advances within Brazilian academia, research groups, and interdisciplinary scholarship, the field remains unevenly institutionalized and increasingly vulnerable to political and religious pressures. The article argues that anti-gender discourses, especially those associated with the rhetoric of so-called “gender ideology”, have become central mechanisms through which conservative religious and political actors challenge feminist agendas, LGBTQIA+ rights, and gender-oriented academic production. Particular attention is given to the impact of these disputes on higher education, especially within confessional private institutions, where gender scholars frequently encounter institutional constraints, professional insecurity, and limitations on critical inquiry. At the same time, the article highlights forms of resistance emerging through feminist organizations, inclusive religious movements, academic networks, and grassroots activism, demonstrating how alternative spaces of knowledge production continue to sustain gender-related research and political engagement. Drawing on debates surrounding conservatism, religious influence in Brazilian politics, and the broader polarization of public discourse, the text explores the tensions between academia and civil society, as well as the role of religion in shaping public perceptions of gender. Ultimately, the article suggests that the future of Gender Studies in Brazil will depend not only on institutional recognition but also on the capacity of scholars, activists, and religious communities to collectively defend critical knowledge as a fundamental dimension of democratic life.
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