The Backlash Is Real - And It's Coordinated: Inside the Growing Global Pushback Against Women's Rights

This is Part 1 of a 5-Part Series: Women, Power, Justice, and the Global Backlash Each episode builds on the last—unpacking what’s happening beneath the surface, how it’s operating, and what it means moving forward. Episode 1 Summary: What I witnessed at the United Nations wasn’t subtle. It was clear. Consistent. And happening across regions, ideologies, and systems. In this opening episode, I take you inside what I saw, heard, and am still processing from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). Because what’s unfolding globally is not isolated. It’s not reactive. And it’s not happening quietly. This is a coordinated, well-funded, and strategic backlash—one that is actively reshaping how women’s rights, power, and access to justice are understood and prioritized. We talk about: • Why the backlash against women’s rights is global—not localized • The difference between reaction and strategy • How alignment across unlikely actors is accelerating this movement • Why this moment is about power—not just policy • The systems and structures driving what we’re seeing • How narrative, influence, and momentum are shaping outcomes in real time Key Moments: 00:00 – Introduction: A Global Shift We’re Not Fully Naming 00:20 – The Backlash Is Real — And It’s Coordinated 03:25 – What’s Driving This Moment (Alignment & Structural Forces) 09:00 – How It Operates: Strategy, Narrative & Polarization 14:45 – Why It’s Winning: Power, Resources & Infrastructure 20:30 – What It’s Causing: Real-World Impact Across Systems 26:15 – What Comes Next: Leadership, Strategy & Response 32:45 – Next Week: Who Actually Holds Power? Continue the Conversation The thinking continues beyond the mic. Explore essays, reflections, and extended conversations on Substack: https://substack.com/@robbinjorgensen Connect with Robbin Jorgensen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/ Supporting Sponsors As a woman navigating financial decisions — especially when the system wasn’t built with you in mind — having the right partner matters. For three decades, Godfrey Financial has intentionally centered women in financial decision-making — not as an afterthought, but as leaders. In a field where women are often expected to sit to the side, Godfrey Financial places women at the head of the table - creating space where women don’t just discuss confidence and agency, but experience it in practice. Learn more at: https://godfreyfinancial.com  This 5-part series is supported by Meier Law Firm, PLLC — a woman-owned, all women law firm serving New York's Capital Region since 2011. Founded by Christina W. Meier, Esq., the firm provides compassionate, personalized counsel in estate planning, elder law, estate and trust administration, guardianships, and real estate. Because access to justice should be personal. Learn more at: https://www.themeierlawfirm.com/