Disinformation and division: Assessing gender norms in Armenia, Georgia and Poland

Gender and identity disinformation continues to exploit deeply held societal biases about gender and sexuality while simultaneously furthering certain social and political agendas. The impacts are far-reaching, undermining human rights and social cohesion, weakening democracy, sowing division and, in turn, posing risks to national and global security.

In societies where people can meaningfully participate, free from polarising division and interference, there is greater resilience to conflict – but disinformation works against peace. Malign actors fabricate information aiming to leverage deep cultural, personal and traditional values that are intrinsically connected to identity and emotions. This can spread quickly in the digital space.

Why this research is relevant to peacebuilding

Gender and identity disinformation is widespread in online communities, typically targeting diverse gender groups, already vulnerable to discrimination and violence, often depicting them as a threat to society. It can also exacerbate existing tensions by deepening ideological divides, fuelling fragmented gender debates and contributing to real-world conflict and clashes.

The paper aims to provide guidance for international and national NGOs working on gender equality and peacebuilding, donors and funders supporting gender-related programmes, government agencies and policy-makers, and researchers and analysts studying gender norms and the impact of anti-gender movements.

What you will find in this paper

This report examines gender and social norms and attitudes in Armenia, Georgia and Poland as they relate to gender and identity disinformation. The research analyses social norms around gender roles and expectations, essential to understanding how disinformation resonates and grows in the different contexts. 

Conducted between 2021-2023, the research explores key findings, drawing on interviews, surveys, focus groups and social media analysis. It also provides a set of critical recommendations for gender-related conflict sensitive programming that incorporates complex geopolitical backdrops.  

The study was commissioned by Artemis Alliance, an international network of civil society organisations that aims to counter gender and identity disinformation by building social cohesion and resilience against the interference of malign actors. It proposes ways to address the flow of disinformation and outlines why only an insight-led, collaborative approach from local and international actors can work.