Using Albania as a case study, this article examines the emergence of a domestic anti-gender discourse, its connections to global networks, and the disparities between formal legal protections and lived realities. It also highlights the growing resistance, both local and international, fighting to hold the line against democratic backsliding. Ultimately, the article invites policymakers, activists, and legal professionals to reevaluate what is at stake. The fight against anti-gender ideology is not only about specific rights or communities; it is about the democratic commitment to human dignity, autonomy, and equality. Can we afford to treat this as a fringe concern when the consequences are anything but?

During three weeks of October 2023, ‘Albania is Biodiversity’ became the largest and longest-running campaign in Albania dedicated to raising awareness about the country’s rich yet endangered species and ecosystems. Organized by Tirana office of Heinrich Böll Foundation, national environmental organization, PPNEA, and international partners, the campaign aimed to bring nature closer to the people, inspire conservation efforts, and spark meaningful conversations about biodiversity.