đ Share this article A Quintet of Crucial Incidents in the Rollback of the Rights of Women and Girls in 2025. This time last year, feminist advocacy groups were bracing themselves for a second Trump term. Scarcely anyone expected. The sheer number and rapid pace of presidential directives originating in the White House were seen as a premeditated approach to induce a state of shock. To a large extent, it succeeded â there was bewilderment, fury, and fatigue as organisations scrambled to plug the hole left by a abrupt cessation of financial support. But this was only the precursor. The Trump administration has been the central catalyst, supported by relentless activism by religious fundamentalist networks capitalizing on the climate to strengthen global ties with ideological partners. This opposition to progressive rights signifies a transnational grouping of political leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups as well as wealthy philanthropists and dynasties that aim to roll back gains in a variety of areas. This encompasses pro-choice policies, equality for sexual minorities, gender identity recognition, and inclusive relationship teaching. They pursue this agenda via influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to foster equity, propagating misinformation, and bankrolling sympathetic charities. We look at five episodes that affected the protection, honor, and existence of women and girls. USAID Effectively Dismantled In the month of March, six weeks after a major US aid agency is its funds are blocked, causing widespread distress, a top American diplomat announces that a vast majority of the organization's initiatives will be axed. US diplomats, former presidents and humanitarian and health experts denounce the action, warning that fatalities will ensue. Rights defenders say that the closure of the organization is more than a funding crisis, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. Many organisations say the impact on girls and women will be severe by waning support, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, reports confirm how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from sickness, hunger, poor pregnancy healthcare, and abuse targeting females, with millions more to come. Additional key contributing countries proceed with parallel slashes. A head of a worldwide campaign network says a decision to slash billions in overseas assistance is an attempt to placate a powerful partner. Conservative Religious Groups Lobby at UN Women Meeting In the same month, several faith-based advocacy networks meet in an upmarket New York hotel for a two-day conference held in parallel with the UN's flagship gender equality meeting. It is an chance to exchange strategies on how to oppose what they term a UN overreach. They are in optimistic frame of mind as they celebrate changes in American foreign policy on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the global conference with a stark warning that âthe venom of male dominanceâ is resurgent, after a report shows that groups opposing progressive rights are systematically eroding longstanding consensus on key womenâs rights issues around the world. Summits Promoting Conservative Norms Over the warmer months, a series of conferences in Africa themed around the conservative family structures and national independence sparks alarm among equality campaigners. In early May, a head of state and partner open a major forum to resist what they label overseas agendas corrupting societal morals. A soon after, another regional summit on conservative ethics is held. Both events are attended by leading American and European conservative activists, including heads of influential networks. One speaker exhorts African NGOs to push back against âworldwide progressive social restructuringâ of global institutions. In the following month, a global faith group hosts a family strengthening conference in West Africa, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Activists observe that the level of external participation has expanded considerably. Contraceptive Destruction Order As health facilities across Africa report they are depleting their stocks of family planning supplies, including emergency kits for survivors of sexual violence, the US announces in midsummer plans to incinerate a significant cache of reproductive health commodities held in a warehouse in Europe. A leading family planning organization states that their elimination will deprive millions of women and girls from family planning options, and lead to a public health crisis of unwanted pregnancies. The organization labels the plan an politically-motivated move âabout forcing a conservative worldview globallyâ and âa calculated move to control fertilityâ. A prominent medical humanitarian organization calls it âcallous and recklessâ. 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 the destruction of viable medicines. âGlobal Gag Ruleâ Expanded Reviving the global gag rule, which cuts American funding for groups that offer, promote, or give information about abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It was anticipated when the ban was reimposed in the first month of the year. The administration also reaffirmed membership in a pro-life declaration. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to extend the restrictions to include national governments and international bodies in addition to NGOs, and to encompass equity and inclusion initiatives. Additional information regarding the policy's widened application are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says widening the scope will have âcatastrophic impactsâ. Advocates for bodily autonomy fear that fresh American assistance deals being negotiated with countries in Africa will become dependent on agreeing to the expanded global gag.
This time last year, feminist advocacy groups were bracing themselves for a second Trump term. Scarcely anyone expected. The sheer number and rapid pace of presidential directives originating in the White House were seen as a premeditated approach to induce a state of shock. To a large extent, it succeeded â there was bewilderment, fury, and fatigue as organisations scrambled to plug the hole left by a abrupt cessation of financial support. But this was only the precursor. The Trump administration has been the central catalyst, supported by relentless activism by religious fundamentalist networks capitalizing on the climate to strengthen global ties with ideological partners. This opposition to progressive rights signifies a transnational grouping of political leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups as well as wealthy philanthropists and dynasties that aim to roll back gains in a variety of areas. This encompasses pro-choice policies, equality for sexual minorities, gender identity recognition, and inclusive relationship teaching. They pursue this agenda via influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to foster equity, propagating misinformation, and bankrolling sympathetic charities. We look at five episodes that affected the protection, honor, and existence of women and girls. USAID Effectively Dismantled In the month of March, six weeks after a major US aid agency is its funds are blocked, causing widespread distress, a top American diplomat announces that a vast majority of the organization's initiatives will be axed. US diplomats, former presidents and humanitarian and health experts denounce the action, warning that fatalities will ensue. Rights defenders say that the closure of the organization is more than a funding crisis, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and access to contraception and reproductive health services. Many organisations say the impact on girls and women will be severe by waning support, especially in regions of instability. As the year ends, reports confirm how a significant mortality toll has been exacted from sickness, hunger, poor pregnancy healthcare, and abuse targeting females, with millions more to come. Additional key contributing countries proceed with parallel slashes. A head of a worldwide campaign network says a decision to slash billions in overseas assistance is an attempt to placate a powerful partner. Conservative Religious Groups Lobby at UN Women Meeting In the same month, several faith-based advocacy networks meet in an upmarket New York hotel for a two-day conference held in parallel with the UN's flagship gender equality meeting. It is an chance to exchange strategies on how to oppose what they term a UN overreach. They are in optimistic frame of mind as they celebrate changes in American foreign policy on social issues and termination of pregnancy. Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations opens the global conference with a stark warning that âthe venom of male dominanceâ is resurgent, after a report shows that groups opposing progressive rights are systematically eroding longstanding consensus on key womenâs rights issues around the world. Summits Promoting Conservative Norms Over the warmer months, a series of conferences in Africa themed around the conservative family structures and national independence sparks alarm among equality campaigners. In early May, a head of state and partner open a major forum to resist what they label overseas agendas corrupting societal morals. A soon after, another regional summit on conservative ethics is held. Both events are attended by leading American and European conservative activists, including heads of influential networks. One speaker exhorts African NGOs to push back against âworldwide progressive social restructuringâ of global institutions. In the following month, a global faith group hosts a family strengthening conference in West Africa, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Activists observe that the level of external participation has expanded considerably. Contraceptive Destruction Order As health facilities across Africa report they are depleting their stocks of family planning supplies, including emergency kits for survivors of sexual violence, the US announces in midsummer plans to incinerate a significant cache of reproductive health commodities held in a warehouse in Europe. A leading family planning organization states that their elimination will deprive millions of women and girls from family planning options, and lead to a public health crisis of unwanted pregnancies. The organization labels the plan an politically-motivated move âabout forcing a conservative worldview globallyâ and âa calculated move to control fertilityâ. A prominent medical humanitarian organization calls it âcallous and recklessâ. 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 the destruction of viable medicines. âGlobal Gag Ruleâ Expanded Reviving the global gag rule, which cuts American funding for groups that offer, promote, or give information about abortion services overseas, is commonplace under certain US administrations. It was anticipated when the ban was reimposed in the first month of the year. The administration also reaffirmed membership in a pro-life declaration. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to extend the restrictions to include national governments and international bodies in addition to NGOs, and to encompass equity and inclusion initiatives. Additional information regarding the policy's widened application are expected in early 2026. A leader in global maternal health says widening the scope will have âcatastrophic impactsâ. Advocates for bodily autonomy fear that fresh American assistance deals being negotiated with countries in Africa will become dependent on agreeing to the expanded global gag.