🔗 Share this article Five Critical Landmark Occurrences in the Challenge to the Rights of Females in the Past Year. Twelve months prior, groups dedicated to gender equality were anticipating a return of Donald Trump to office. Scarcely anyone expected. The flood and velocity of administrative decrees emanating from the White House were interpreted as a intentional maneuver to overwhelm and create panic. In many ways it worked – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as groups rushed to address the shortfall left by a sudden aid suspension. But that was just the beginning. The US administration has been the key driver, bolstered by fervent lobbying efforts by ultra-conservative groups capitalizing on the climate to build worldwide connections with ideological partners. The movement against gender equality signifies a transnational grouping of elected officials, faith-based bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as affluent financiers and clans that strive to weaken forward movement on multiple topics. These include abortion, LGBTQ rights, trans rights, non-traditional family structures and comprehensive sexuality education. They accomplish their goals by influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to advance equality, spreading disinformation, and funding non-profit organisations. We review five instances that affected the welfare, autonomy, and survival of girls and women. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In March, shortly after a prominent humanitarian funder is halted, causing international chaos, a senior US official announces that nearly all of the organization's initiatives will be axed. Career diplomats, former presidents and relief and public health authorities decry the decision, cautioning that mortality will increase. Activists say that the dismantling of this institution is greater than a budgetary issue, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and family planning and reproductive care. A multitude of agencies say the impact on girls and women will be severe by waning support, especially in war zones. As the year ends, evidence indicates how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from disease, starvation, lack of access to maternal care and gender-based violence, with many more millions at risk. Another pair of leading funders initiate similar reductions. A director of a global justice organization says a choice to reduce international development funding is a move to appease a political ally. Faith-Based Activists Mobilize at UN Conference In the same month, several Christian-right organisations meet in an upmarket New York hotel for a biannual gathering held in parallel with the annual UN Women gathering. It is an chance to exchange strategies on how to defeat the UN’s “radical agenda”. They are in high spirits as they welcome new Washington directives on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the global conference with a grave caution that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is back, after a study indicates that opponents of gender equality are deliberately weakening longstanding consensus on core aspects of gender equality around the world. Conferences on Traditional Values in Africa Over the summer, a series of conferences in Africa themed around the conventional household and state autonomy raises concerns among human rights defenders. In May, a head of state and partner open a significant conference to push back on what they label criminal foreign forces eroding traditional family values. A shortly thereafter, another regional summit on traditional morals is held. Both events are participated in by leading US and European anti-rights figures, including heads of influential networks. One speaker urges African NGOs to resist “worldwide progressive social restructuring” of international organizations. In the following month, a major religious institution hosts a event focused on reinforcing families in West Africa, an event that health activists say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Activists observe that the scale of their presence has increased markedly. Contraceptive Destruction Order As medical centers in numerous African countries report they are facing shortages of birth control, including prophylaxis for assault victims, the US announces in midsummer plans to dispose of millions of dollars worth of contraceptives held in a warehouse in Europe. A global sexual health network states that their incineration will prevent millions of women and girls from contraceptive supplies, and lead to a public health crisis of unwanted pregnancies. The organization labels the plan an dogmatic choice “about exporting a regressive policy worldwide” and “an intentional act of reproductive coercion”. A international emergency medical charity calls it “cruel and irresponsible”. NGOs offer to buy the contraceptives so they can fulfill their original purpose, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains unresolved as local authorities will not allow the destruction of viable medicines. Widening of the Anti-Abortion Policy Reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits Washington's support for groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is typical of certain US administrations. It came as no surprise when the rule was reinstated in January. The administration also rejoined an international anti-abortion agreement. But in October, the US announces it intends to expand the global gag rule to include sovereign states and UN agencies in addition to NGOs, and to encompass equity and inclusion initiatives. Further specifics about the policy's widened application are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says widening the scope will have “unimaginable effects”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that new US aid packages being discussed with African nations will become dependent on agreeing to the new, wider policy.
Twelve months prior, groups dedicated to gender equality were anticipating a return of Donald Trump to office. Scarcely anyone expected. The flood and velocity of administrative decrees emanating from the White House were interpreted as a intentional maneuver to overwhelm and create panic. In many ways it worked – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as groups rushed to address the shortfall left by a sudden aid suspension. But that was just the beginning. The US administration has been the key driver, bolstered by fervent lobbying efforts by ultra-conservative groups capitalizing on the climate to build worldwide connections with ideological partners. The movement against gender equality signifies a transnational grouping of elected officials, faith-based bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as affluent financiers and clans that strive to weaken forward movement on multiple topics. These include abortion, LGBTQ rights, trans rights, non-traditional family structures and comprehensive sexuality education. They accomplish their goals by influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to advance equality, spreading disinformation, and funding non-profit organisations. We review five instances that affected the welfare, autonomy, and survival of girls and women. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In March, shortly after a prominent humanitarian funder is halted, causing international chaos, a senior US official announces that nearly all of the organization's initiatives will be axed. Career diplomats, former presidents and relief and public health authorities decry the decision, cautioning that mortality will increase. Activists say that the dismantling of this institution is greater than a budgetary issue, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and family planning and reproductive care. A multitude of agencies say the impact on girls and women will be severe by waning support, especially in war zones. As the year ends, evidence indicates how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from disease, starvation, lack of access to maternal care and gender-based violence, with many more millions at risk. Another pair of leading funders initiate similar reductions. A director of a global justice organization says a choice to reduce international development funding is a move to appease a political ally. Faith-Based Activists Mobilize at UN Conference In the same month, several Christian-right organisations meet in an upmarket New York hotel for a biannual gathering held in parallel with the annual UN Women gathering. It is an chance to exchange strategies on how to defeat the UN’s “radical agenda”. They are in high spirits as they welcome new Washington directives on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the global conference with a grave caution that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is back, after a study indicates that opponents of gender equality are deliberately weakening longstanding consensus on core aspects of gender equality around the world. Conferences on Traditional Values in Africa Over the summer, a series of conferences in Africa themed around the conventional household and state autonomy raises concerns among human rights defenders. In May, a head of state and partner open a significant conference to push back on what they label criminal foreign forces eroding traditional family values. A shortly thereafter, another regional summit on traditional morals is held. Both events are participated in by leading US and European anti-rights figures, including heads of influential networks. One speaker urges African NGOs to resist “worldwide progressive social restructuring” of international organizations. In the following month, a major religious institution hosts a event focused on reinforcing families in West Africa, an event that health activists say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Activists observe that the scale of their presence has increased markedly. Contraceptive Destruction Order As medical centers in numerous African countries report they are facing shortages of birth control, including prophylaxis for assault victims, the US announces in midsummer plans to dispose of millions of dollars worth of contraceptives held in a warehouse in Europe. A global sexual health network states that their incineration will prevent millions of women and girls from contraceptive supplies, and lead to a public health crisis of unwanted pregnancies. The organization labels the plan an dogmatic choice “about exporting a regressive policy worldwide” and “an intentional act of reproductive coercion”. A international emergency medical charity calls it “cruel and irresponsible”. NGOs offer to buy the contraceptives so they can fulfill their original purpose, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains unresolved as local authorities will not allow the destruction of viable medicines. Widening of the Anti-Abortion Policy Reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits Washington's support for groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is typical of certain US administrations. It came as no surprise when the rule was reinstated in January. The administration also rejoined an international anti-abortion agreement. But in October, the US announces it intends to expand the global gag rule to include sovereign states and UN agencies in addition to NGOs, and to encompass equity and inclusion initiatives. Further specifics about the policy's widened application are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says widening the scope will have “unimaginable effects”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that new US aid packages being discussed with African nations will become dependent on agreeing to the new, wider policy.