🔗 Share this article Five Critical Key Moments in the Erosion of the Freedoms of Women and Girls in 2025. In the previous year, organisations advocating for women's rights were anticipating a new Trump administration. The ensuing chaos was largely unforeseen. The sheer number and rapid pace of White House mandates originating in the White House were seen as a intentional maneuver to induce a state of shock. The tactic proved effective – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as groups rushed to plug the hole left by a abrupt cessation of financial support. But this was only the precursor. The American government has been the primary force, aided by fervent lobbying efforts by far-right organisations using the moment to forge international alliances with like-minded governments. Often termed the anti-gender movement describes a worldwide alliance of political leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups as well as ultra-rich backers and donors that aim to roll back forward movement on multiple topics. Areas targeted involve 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 promote fairness, circulating falsehoods, and resourcing aligned NGOs. We analyze five episodes that influenced the security, respect, and well-being of women and girls. USAID Dismantled In the month of March, a month and a half following a key American development organization is its funds are blocked, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration states that nearly all of the organization's initiatives will be axed. Career diplomats, ex-presidents and aid and medical specialists condemn the news, cautioning that lives will be lost. Rights defenders say that the demise of the agency is not just a financial shortfall, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. A multitude of agencies say females will bear the brunt by reduced funding, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, evidence indicates how hundreds of thousands of people have already died from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with many more millions at risk. Additional key contributing countries follow with their own cuts. A director of a global justice organization says a choice to reduce international development funding is a move to appease a political ally. Christian-Right Groups Raise Voices During UN Women Summit In March, several conservative religious groups meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a two-day conference held concurrently with the UN's flagship gender equality meeting. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to counter the UN's progressive policies. They are in optimistic frame of mind as they welcome shifts in US policy on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the women’s summit with a grave caution that “the venom of male dominance” is returning, after a report shows that groups opposing progressive rights are systematically eroding historic agreements on fundamental freedoms for women around the world. Summits Promoting Conservative Norms Over the warmer months, a cluster of meetings in Africa centered on the conservative family structures and national independence sparks alarm among human rights defenders. In early May, a national leader and spouse open a large assembly to resist what they label criminal foreign forces eroding traditional family values. A shortly thereafter, another Pan-African conference on conservative ethics is held. Both events are graced by leading US and European anti-rights figures, 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 global faith group hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in the region, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a stage for criticizing gender equality. Campaigners note that the level of external participation has grown significantly. American Plan to Burn Birth Control As health facilities across Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including emergency kits for survivors of sexual violence, the US announces in July plans to incinerate millions of dollars worth of contraceptives held in a European depot. A leading family planning organization states that their destruction will deny millions of women and girls from contraceptive supplies, and lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies and dangerous terminations. The organization labels the plan an ideological decision “about forcing a conservative worldview globally” and “a calculated move to control fertility”. A renowned doctors' group calls it “callous and reckless”. Aid groups propose purchasing the contraceptives so they can reach their intended destinations, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains at a standstill as local authorities are blocking perfectly good supplies to be incinerated. Widening of the Anti-Abortion Policy Bringing back the anti-abortion funding ban, which prohibits Washington's support for groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It was widely expected when the policy was restored in the first month of the year. The administration also signed onto a conservative consensus document. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to extend the restrictions 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 likely forthcoming. A director of a major health partnership says widening the scope will have “catastrophic impacts”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that upcoming Washington funding agreements being discussed with African nations will become dependent on agreeing to the new, wider policy.
In the previous year, organisations advocating for women's rights were anticipating a new Trump administration. The ensuing chaos was largely unforeseen. The sheer number and rapid pace of White House mandates originating in the White House were seen as a intentional maneuver to induce a state of shock. The tactic proved effective – there was chaos, resentment, and burnout as groups rushed to plug the hole left by a abrupt cessation of financial support. But this was only the precursor. The American government has been the primary force, aided by fervent lobbying efforts by far-right organisations using the moment to forge international alliances with like-minded governments. Often termed the anti-gender movement describes a worldwide alliance of political leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups as well as ultra-rich backers and donors that aim to roll back forward movement on multiple topics. Areas targeted involve 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 promote fairness, circulating falsehoods, and resourcing aligned NGOs. We analyze five episodes that influenced the security, respect, and well-being of women and girls. USAID Dismantled In the month of March, a month and a half following a key American development organization is its funds are blocked, causing widespread distress, a leading figure in the administration states that nearly all of the organization's initiatives will be axed. Career diplomats, ex-presidents and aid and medical specialists condemn the news, cautioning that lives will be lost. Rights defenders say that the demise of the agency is not just a financial shortfall, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. A multitude of agencies say females will bear the brunt by reduced funding, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, evidence indicates how hundreds of thousands of people have already died from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with many more millions at risk. Additional key contributing countries follow with their own cuts. A director of a global justice organization says a choice to reduce international development funding is a move to appease a political ally. Christian-Right Groups Raise Voices During UN Women Summit In March, several conservative religious groups meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a two-day conference held concurrently with the UN's flagship gender equality meeting. It is an opportunity to share tactics on how to counter the UN's progressive policies. They are in optimistic frame of mind as they welcome shifts in US policy on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the women’s summit with a grave caution that “the venom of male dominance” is returning, after a report shows that groups opposing progressive rights are systematically eroding historic agreements on fundamental freedoms for women around the world. Summits Promoting Conservative Norms Over the warmer months, a cluster of meetings in Africa centered on the conservative family structures and national independence sparks alarm among human rights defenders. In early May, a national leader and spouse open a large assembly to resist what they label criminal foreign forces eroding traditional family values. A shortly thereafter, another Pan-African conference on conservative ethics is held. Both events are graced by leading US and European anti-rights figures, 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 global faith group hosts a gathering about supporting traditional households in the region, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a stage for criticizing gender equality. Campaigners note that the level of external participation has grown significantly. American Plan to Burn Birth Control As health facilities across Africa report they are facing shortages of birth control, including emergency kits for survivors of sexual violence, the US announces in July plans to incinerate millions of dollars worth of contraceptives held in a European depot. A leading family planning organization states that their destruction will deny millions of women and girls from contraceptive supplies, and lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies and dangerous terminations. The organization labels the plan an ideological decision “about forcing a conservative worldview globally” and “a calculated move to control fertility”. A renowned doctors' group calls it “callous and reckless”. Aid groups propose purchasing the contraceptives so they can reach their intended destinations, but the US refuses all offers. The situation remains at a standstill as local authorities are blocking perfectly good supplies to be incinerated. Widening of the Anti-Abortion Policy Bringing back the anti-abortion funding ban, which prohibits Washington's support for groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It was widely expected when the policy was restored in the first month of the year. The administration also signed onto a conservative consensus document. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to extend the restrictions 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 likely forthcoming. A director of a major health partnership says widening the scope will have “catastrophic impacts”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that upcoming Washington funding agreements being discussed with African nations will become dependent on agreeing to the new, wider policy.