The 2020 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief stated that, around the world, those who advocate to preserve or impose discriminatory policies against women, girls and LGBT+ people claim religious justifications. He further suggested that opposition by some religious communities to women’s so-called "reproductive health and sexual rights" could be considered gender-based violence and discrimination.States must protect the legitimate autonomy of religious communities. If equality is understood as an unconditional right, how far should states’ duty of care extend to prevent, punish, investigate or redress harms caused by gender inequality based on religious grounds?The panel will explore the implications that gender equality regulations may have on the exercise of religious freedom by individuals and religious denominations in the West. Chair: Francisca Pérez-Madrid (Universitat de Barcelona)Speakers:Monserrat Gas Aixendri (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya) Santiago Cañamares Arribas (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) Maria Mut Bosque (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya)