🔗 Share this article Five Critical Key Moments in the Assault on the Freedoms of Women and Girls in the Past Year. A year ago, organisations advocating for women's rights were steeling themselves against a new Trump administration. Scarcely anyone expected. The sheer number and rapid pace of administrative decrees coming out of the White House were viewed as a premeditated approach to cause confusion and fear. The tactic proved effective – there was disarray, outrage, and weariness as groups rushed to compensate for the loss left by a sudden aid suspension. But that was just the beginning. The US administration has been the main instigator, complemented by fervent lobbying efforts by ultra-conservative groups exploiting the situation to build worldwide connections with like-minded governments. The movement against gender equality describes a worldwide alliance of elected officials, faith-based bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as billionaire families and individuals that work to dismantle advances on numerous fronts. These include abortion, LGBTQ rights, trans rights, non-traditional family structures and comprehensive sexuality education. They do this by pressuring states, backing lawsuits, disparaging UN work to push for parity, disseminating propaganda, and supporting ideologically-matched groups. We review five episodes that influenced the welfare, autonomy, and survival of women and girls. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In early spring, six weeks after a prominent humanitarian funder is halted, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration confirms that the lion's share of the body's projects will be terminated. Career diplomats, former presidents and relief and public health authorities denounce the action, predicting that people will die as a result. Rights defenders say that the demise of the agency is not just a financial shortfall, it is a savage attack on human rights and access to contraception and reproductive health services. Numerous groups say the impact on girls and women will be severe by diminishing aid, especially in conflict areas. As the year ends, reports confirm how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with a far greater catastrophe looming. Another pair of leading funders follow with their own cuts. A leader of an international advocacy group says a choice to reduce international development funding is a gesture of alignment with another government's agenda. Faith-Based Activists Mobilize at UN Conference In March, several Christian-right organisations meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a biannual gathering held alongside the annual UN Women gathering. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to defeat the UN’s “radical agenda”. They are in high spirits as they welcome changes in American foreign policy on LGBTQ issues, inclusion, and reproductive rights. Meanwhile, the UN secretary general opens the women’s summit with a stark warning that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is returning, after a report shows that opponents of gender equality are deliberately weakening established norms on key women’s rights issues around the world. Conferences on Traditional Values in Africa Over the summer, a sequence of gatherings in Africa centered on the conventional household and state autonomy sparks alarm among equality campaigners. In early May, a president and first lady open a large assembly to combat what they label external influences undermining local norms. A shortly thereafter, another regional summit on family values is held. Both events are graced by leading Western campaigners against gender ideology, including presidents of prominent organizations. One speaker calls on African NGOs to stand up to “radical global social engineering” of international organizations. In June, a major religious institution hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in the region, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Advocates remark that the extent of foreign involvement has expanded considerably. American Plan to Burn Birth Control As clinics in sub-Saharan Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including prophylaxis for assault victims, the US announces in July plans to dispose of a vast stockpile of birth control held in a warehouse in Europe. A major reproductive health federation states that their destruction will deny a huge female population from family planning options, and lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies and dangerous terminations. The organization labels the plan an ideological decision “about exporting a regressive policy worldwide” and “an intentional act of reproductive coercion”. A prominent medical humanitarian organization calls it “cruel and irresponsible”. NGOs offer to buy the contraceptives so they can be distributed to those in need, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains in deadlock as the regional government are blocking perfectly good supplies to be incinerated. ‘Global Gag Rule’ Expanded Reviving the global gag rule, which halts US aid to groups that offer, promote, or give information about abortion services overseas, is typical of certain US administrations. It was anticipated when the policy was restored in the first month of the year. The administration also signed onto a conservative consensus document. But in October, the US announces it intends to broaden the scope of the policy to include governments and multilateral organisations in addition to NGOs, and to include DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) projects. Additional information regarding the broader enforcement are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says broadening the policy will have “catastrophic impacts”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that new US aid packages being negotiated with countries in Africa will become contingent upon adopting the broadened restrictions.
A year ago, organisations advocating for women's rights were steeling themselves against a new Trump administration. Scarcely anyone expected. The sheer number and rapid pace of administrative decrees coming out of the White House were viewed as a premeditated approach to cause confusion and fear. The tactic proved effective – there was disarray, outrage, and weariness as groups rushed to compensate for the loss left by a sudden aid suspension. But that was just the beginning. The US administration has been the main instigator, complemented by fervent lobbying efforts by ultra-conservative groups exploiting the situation to build worldwide connections with like-minded governments. The movement against gender equality describes a worldwide alliance of elected officials, faith-based bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as billionaire families and individuals that work to dismantle advances on numerous fronts. These include abortion, LGBTQ rights, trans rights, non-traditional family structures and comprehensive sexuality education. They do this by pressuring states, backing lawsuits, disparaging UN work to push for parity, disseminating propaganda, and supporting ideologically-matched groups. We review five episodes that influenced the welfare, autonomy, and survival of women and girls. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In early spring, six weeks after a prominent humanitarian funder is halted, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration confirms that the lion's share of the body's projects will be terminated. Career diplomats, former presidents and relief and public health authorities denounce the action, predicting that people will die as a result. Rights defenders say that the demise of the agency is not just a financial shortfall, it is a savage attack on human rights and access to contraception and reproductive health services. Numerous groups say the impact on girls and women will be severe by diminishing aid, especially in conflict areas. As the year ends, reports confirm how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with a far greater catastrophe looming. Another pair of leading funders follow with their own cuts. A leader of an international advocacy group says a choice to reduce international development funding is a gesture of alignment with another government's agenda. Faith-Based Activists Mobilize at UN Conference In March, several Christian-right organisations meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a biannual gathering held alongside the annual UN Women gathering. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to defeat the UN’s “radical agenda”. They are in high spirits as they welcome changes in American foreign policy on LGBTQ issues, inclusion, and reproductive rights. Meanwhile, the UN secretary general opens the women’s summit with a stark warning that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is returning, after a report shows that opponents of gender equality are deliberately weakening established norms on key women’s rights issues around the world. Conferences on Traditional Values in Africa Over the summer, a sequence of gatherings in Africa centered on the conventional household and state autonomy sparks alarm among equality campaigners. In early May, a president and first lady open a large assembly to combat what they label external influences undermining local norms. A shortly thereafter, another regional summit on family values is held. Both events are graced by leading Western campaigners against gender ideology, including presidents of prominent organizations. One speaker calls on African NGOs to stand up to “radical global social engineering” of international organizations. In June, a major religious institution hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in the region, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Advocates remark that the extent of foreign involvement has expanded considerably. American Plan to Burn Birth Control As clinics in sub-Saharan Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including prophylaxis for assault victims, the US announces in July plans to dispose of a vast stockpile of birth control held in a warehouse in Europe. A major reproductive health federation states that their destruction will deny a huge female population from family planning options, and lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies and dangerous terminations. The organization labels the plan an ideological decision “about exporting a regressive policy worldwide” and “an intentional act of reproductive coercion”. A prominent medical humanitarian organization calls it “cruel and irresponsible”. NGOs offer to buy the contraceptives so they can be distributed to those in need, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains in deadlock as the regional government are blocking perfectly good supplies to be incinerated. ‘Global Gag Rule’ Expanded Reviving the global gag rule, which halts US aid to groups that offer, promote, or give information about abortion services overseas, is typical of certain US administrations. It was anticipated when the policy was restored in the first month of the year. The administration also signed onto a conservative consensus document. But in October, the US announces it intends to broaden the scope of the policy to include governments and multilateral organisations in addition to NGOs, and to include DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) projects. Additional information regarding the broader enforcement are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says broadening the policy will have “catastrophic impacts”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that new US aid packages being negotiated with countries in Africa will become contingent upon adopting the broadened restrictions.