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The slogan for Argentina鈥檚 feminist movement, 鈥淣i Una Menos,鈥� was coined by Mexican activist and femicide victim . Though tough to translate, it became a potent expression of fear and anger over the alarming rate of violence against women and a perception of disinterest among Argentina鈥檚 leaders.

In 2019, the movement found an ally in the Casa Rosada presidential palace, Alberto Fern谩ndez, who called himself Argentina鈥檚 first 鈥�.鈥� He supported  in 2020 to legalize abortion, established the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity, and strengthened the nation鈥檚 femicide registry. That success inspired feminist movements , including in Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru, in their efforts to combat domestic violence, close the gender wage gap, promote reproductive rights, expand access to childcare, and promote gender parity in government and in the private sector.

However, the 2023 election of libertarian President Javier Milei represented a stunning reversal for Argentina鈥檚 feminists. Milei, who  the existence of gender inequality and opposes abortion, swiftly closed the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity, criticizing its 鈥�.鈥� He did not spare the gender-based violence  from recent deep  and at the United Nations, he was the only leader to  a resolution to promote the end of gender-based violence.

If Milei鈥檚 election offers a glimpse of what is to come elsewhere in the region, Latin America鈥檚 feminists might be fighting an uphill battle in the years to come.鈥� 

The next blow to Argentine feminists came in August 2024, when  of Fabiola Ya帽ez, Fern谩ndez鈥檚 former partner and first lady, revealed evidence of apparent  during his presidency. Fern谩ndez has since been charged with gender-based violence. He  the allegations, but the damage to his reputation, and to the movement he championed, was profound.

Amid accusations of hypocrisy directed against the former president, criticism of the broader gender equality movement has crescendoed, including on social media, where Argentina鈥檚 popular new president is active and unpolished. In part fueled by Milei鈥檚 ,  are facing streams of abuse online.

This turning of the tide is . Just as Argentina was a trailblazerfor the regional feminist movement, Milei might signal a regionwide backlash against increasing gender equality. Traditional conservatives and far-right political figures are gaining support throughout Latin America and progressive leaders, such as Chile鈥檚 Gabriel Boric and Colombia鈥檚 Gustavo Petro, face  In the year since the Argentine election, conservative lawmakers in , , the , and have introduced legislation that would curtail women鈥檚 rights.

For their part, Argentina鈥檚 feminists are  the 鈥淣i Una Menos鈥� campaign and taking steps to . Their ability to protect recent gains, however, is unclear. If Milei鈥檚 election offers a glimpse of what is to come elsewhere in the region, Latin America鈥檚 feminists might be fighting an uphill battle in the years to come.