🔗 Share this article Five Critical Significant Developments in the Attack on the Rights of Women and Girls in 2025. A year ago, groups dedicated to gender equality were anticipating a return of Donald Trump to office. Few were prepared for. The sheer number and rapid pace of executive orders coming out of the White House were viewed as a premeditated approach to cause confusion and fear. In many ways it worked – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as agencies hastened to plug the hole left by a freeze on international development funds. But the situation was about to worsen. The Trump administration has been the key driver, aided by fervent lobbying efforts by deeply conservative factions capitalizing on the climate to strengthen global ties with like-minded governments. The anti-rights movement describes a worldwide alliance of government figures, churches, and advocacy collectives as well as billionaire families and individuals that strive to weaken gains in a variety of areas. These include access to termination, gay and trans protections, alternative households, and factual sexual instruction. They achieve this through influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to foster equity, propagating misinformation, and bankrolling sympathetic charities. We examine five instances that affected the protection, honor, and existence of girls and women. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In early spring, six weeks after a major US aid agency is halted, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration announces that the lion's share of the organization's initiatives will be axed. American foreign service officers, past leaders and humanitarian and health experts condemn the news, stating that fatalities will ensue. Human rights advocates say that the dismantling of this institution is more than a funding crisis, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. A multitude of agencies say the impact on girls and women will be severe by reduced funding, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, data shows how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with millions more to come. Additional key contributing countries follow with their own cuts. A head of a worldwide campaign network says a move to cut foreign aid drastically is a move to appease a political ally. Conservative Religious Groups Lobby at UN Women Meeting In the same month, several Christian-right organisations meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a strategic summit held in parallel with the annual UN Women gathering. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to counter the UN's progressive policies. They are in high spirits as they applaud changes in American foreign policy on gender, diversity and abortion. Meanwhile, the world's top diplomat opens the women’s summit with a stark warning that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is back, after a study indicates that opponents of gender equality are systematically eroding established norms on key women’s rights issues around the world. African ‘Family Values’ Conferences Over the warmer months, a sequence of gatherings in Africa centered on the conservative family structures and national independence raises concerns among rights advocates. In the start of May, a head of state and partner open a large assembly to combat what they label external influences undermining local norms. A shortly thereafter, another continental gathering on traditional morals is held. Both events are graced by leading American and European conservative activists, including presidents of prominent organizations. One speaker urges African NGOs to push back against “worldwide progressive social restructuring” of global institutions. In June, a prominent church hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in West Africa, an event that health activists say has become an anti-LGBTQ, anti-gender platform. Advocates remark that the extent of foreign involvement has expanded considerably. Contraceptive Destruction Order As clinics in sub-Saharan Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including post-rape care packages, the US announces in midsummer plans to dispose of a vast stockpile of birth control held in a storage facility in Belgium. A leading family planning organization states that their destruction will deny millions of women and girls from access to birth control, 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”. Charities attempt to acquire the contraceptives so they can fulfill their original purpose, but the US rejects each bid. The situation remains unresolved as the regional government will not allow usable products to be destroyed. Broader Restrictions on Aid Reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which halts US aid to groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It came as no surprise when the ban was reimposed in January. The administration also reaffirmed membership in a pro-life declaration. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to broaden the scope of the policy to include governments and multilateral organisations in addition to NGOs, and to cover diversity programmes. Additional information regarding the expansion of the rule are anticipated next year. A director of a major health partnership says widening the scope will have “unimaginable effects”. Pro-choice activists fear that upcoming Washington funding agreements being discussed with African nations will become conditional on accepting the broadened restrictions.
A year ago, groups dedicated to gender equality were anticipating a return of Donald Trump to office. Few were prepared for. The sheer number and rapid pace of executive orders coming out of the White House were viewed as a premeditated approach to cause confusion and fear. In many ways it worked – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as agencies hastened to plug the hole left by a freeze on international development funds. But the situation was about to worsen. The Trump administration has been the key driver, aided by fervent lobbying efforts by deeply conservative factions capitalizing on the climate to strengthen global ties with like-minded governments. The anti-rights movement describes a worldwide alliance of government figures, churches, and advocacy collectives as well as billionaire families and individuals that strive to weaken gains in a variety of areas. These include access to termination, gay and trans protections, alternative households, and factual sexual instruction. They achieve this through influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to foster equity, propagating misinformation, and bankrolling sympathetic charities. We examine five instances that affected the protection, honor, and existence of girls and women. The Demise of a Major Aid Agency In early spring, six weeks after a major US aid agency is halted, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration announces that the lion's share of the organization's initiatives will be axed. American foreign service officers, past leaders and humanitarian and health experts condemn the news, stating that fatalities will ensue. Human rights advocates say that the dismantling of this institution is more than a funding crisis, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. A multitude of agencies say the impact on girls and women will be severe by reduced funding, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, data shows how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with millions more to come. Additional key contributing countries follow with their own cuts. A head of a worldwide campaign network says a move to cut foreign aid drastically is a move to appease a political ally. Conservative Religious Groups Lobby at UN Women Meeting In the same month, several Christian-right organisations meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a strategic summit held in parallel with the annual UN Women gathering. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to counter the UN's progressive policies. They are in high spirits as they applaud changes in American foreign policy on gender, diversity and abortion. Meanwhile, the world's top diplomat opens the women’s summit with a stark warning that “the toxin of gendered hierarchy” is back, after a study indicates that opponents of gender equality are systematically eroding established norms on key women’s rights issues around the world. African ‘Family Values’ Conferences Over the warmer months, a sequence of gatherings in Africa centered on the conservative family structures and national independence raises concerns among rights advocates. In the start of May, a head of state and partner open a large assembly to combat what they label external influences undermining local norms. A shortly thereafter, another continental gathering on traditional morals is held. Both events are graced by leading American and European conservative activists, including presidents of prominent organizations. One speaker urges African NGOs to push back against “worldwide progressive social restructuring” of global institutions. In June, a prominent church hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in West Africa, an event that health activists say has become an anti-LGBTQ, anti-gender platform. Advocates remark that the extent of foreign involvement has expanded considerably. Contraceptive Destruction Order As clinics in sub-Saharan Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including post-rape care packages, the US announces in midsummer plans to dispose of a vast stockpile of birth control held in a storage facility in Belgium. A leading family planning organization states that their destruction will deny millions of women and girls from access to birth control, 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”. Charities attempt to acquire the contraceptives so they can fulfill their original purpose, but the US rejects each bid. The situation remains unresolved as the regional government will not allow usable products to be destroyed. Broader Restrictions on Aid Reinstating the Mexico City Policy, which halts US aid to groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It came as no surprise when the ban was reimposed in January. The administration also reaffirmed membership in a pro-life declaration. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to broaden the scope of the policy to include governments and multilateral organisations in addition to NGOs, and to cover diversity programmes. Additional information regarding the expansion of the rule are anticipated next year. A director of a major health partnership says widening the scope will have “unimaginable effects”. Pro-choice activists fear that upcoming Washington funding agreements being discussed with African nations will become conditional on accepting the broadened restrictions.