Global Trends in Opposition to Women’s Reproductive Autonomy

10 September 2025
International Confederation of Midwives

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are increasingly under threat. The Trump Administration in the United States has restricted dialogue about and access to contraception and safe abortion causing a global ripple effect. A troubling trend is emerging: other governments and international organisations are following suit by limiting funding and avoiding the language of reproductive rights.

Defunding SRHR – Global Impact and Consequences
The Trump Administration has overseen the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), withdrawn 500 million USD in global health funding, and terminated all US contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health. The result is the destabilisation of global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) initiatives, undermining progress toward gender equality, jeopardising the 2030 Agenda for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/global-trends-in-opposition-to-womens-reproductive-autonomy/

Ghana – Media urged to lead campaign against unsafe abortion

March 18, 2025

The media has been charged to lead the campaign against unsafe abortions which continue to claim the lives of women and young girls in the country.

According to a Project and Advocacy Officer with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Michael Tagoe, contrary to common beliefs held that abortion was illegal in the country and it was actually permissible by law.

Continued: https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/media-urged-to-lead-campaign-against-unsafe-abortion/#google_vignette

18.03.2025

News

EmpowHER project

Emmanuel Okanta Akoto

Michael Tagoe

Naadu Awuradwoa Addico

Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana

sexual and reproductive health

Nigeria – Subnational govts urged to allocate funds for SRH, PAC, mental health

by Ishola Michael
December 14, 2024

The need for government, especially at the subnational level, to make specific fund allocations to mitigate the negative impacts of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), post-abortion care (PAC), and mental health issues has been stressed.

The call was made during a one-day meeting with stakeholders and journalists on advancing policies on SRH, post-abortion care, and mental health services through innovative advocacy, organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Health (BSMOH) in collaboration with the Academy for Health Development (AHEAD) and the Guttmacher Institute at the SMOH Conference Hall in Bauchi.

Continued: https://tribuneonlineng.com/subnational-govts-urged-to-allocate-funds-for-srh-pac-mental-health/

14.12.2024

News

Academy for Health Development

funding for safe abortion

post-abortion care

sexual and reproductive health

5 reasons why abortion is healthcare

Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy.

Nov 19, 2024
Doctors Without Borders

At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we consider safe abortion care a critical part of our sexual and reproductive healthcare services – one that can save lives and support the well-being of our patients.

Our teams around the world work in countries with varying laws and cultural views on abortion. Every day, MSF staff see firsthand how access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health. Anyone who seeks an abortion no matter their reason is deserving of high-quality and dignified care. When patients can access safe abortion care in their communities, the risk of complications related to unsafely induced abortion significantly decreases. There are instances in which abortion care is medically necessary to preserve an individual’s health and well-being, or even save their life. As health providers, MSF is committed to upholding medical ethics and person-centred care, which includes access to safe abortion.

Continued: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/5-reasons-why-abortion-is-healthcare/

19.11.2024

Commentary

abortion saves lives

bodily autonomy

criminalization of abortion

Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières

safe abortion care

self-managed abortion

sexual and reproductive health

Global

Health

Human Rights

5 ways youth are powerful advocates for reproductive justice

August 7, 2024
IPAS

When it comes to sexual and reproductive health, youth are their own best advocates—driving change, raising awareness and pushing for the health care and information they need most.

That’s why Ipas empowers young leaders to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights in their communities and globally. We support youth-led campaigns for abortion law change, train young peer educators, and partner with youth-led organizations that bring innovative solutions. We know young people are powerful advocates for reproductive justice because we see it firsthand every day.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/5-ways-youth-are-powerful-advocates-for-reproductive-justice/

Nigeria – WARDC engages religious, traditional leaders on preventable maternal deaths

By Ijeoma Thomas-Odia
July 21, 2024

To enhance the voices of women in Lagos to lead advocacy and demand accountability on preventable maternal deaths as well as adequate policies to end violence against women and girls, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), held a high-level meeting with religious and traditional leaders to address these concerns.

The two-day meeting held in Lagos with the support of Amplify Change is currently implementing Project Enhance focused on improving the sexual and reproductive health of women following the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.

Continued: https://guardian.ng/wardc-engages-religious-traditional-leaders-on-preventable-maternal-deaths/#google_vignette

USA – As abortion rights are further decimated, reproductive health funding remains ‘shackled’ by restrictions

During a critical election year, sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations risk losing funding to engage in partisan politics

by Rebecca. L. Root
July 2nd, 2024

In the months before and following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that struck down the constitutional right to abortion, nonprofits that had long worked to advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights found themselves fighting anti-abortion legislation at unprecedented levels.

Since 2022, the legal advocacy organization the Center for Reproductive Rights has filed lawsuits in multiple states on behalf of women who were denied medically necessary abortion care. In 2022, several organizations, including The Afiya Center and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, filed a federal class action lawsuit in Texas to protect the ability to help people access abortion out of state. In 2023, the state of Texas and an anonymous plaintiff sued Planned Parenthood over allegations that the organization’s affiliates defrauded the state’s Medicaid system. Also last year, Planned Parenthood Great Northwest filed a federal lawsuit against Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office following a legal opinion issued in March 2023 that said medical professionals in Idaho could be subject to criminal penalties if they referred patients across state lines for abortion care.

Continued: https://prismreports.org/2024/07/02/reproductive-health-funding-shackled/

Malawi – Unsafe abortion putting lives of women in danger – Human Rights Media Organization

May 11, 2024
Martha Chikoti

Centre for Solutions Journalism (CSJ), a human rights media organization, says unsafe abortion puts the lives of girls and women in danger especially those in remote areas due to ignorance and lack of information on Sexual and Reproductive Health related issues.

Executive Director, Brian Ligomeka, made the statement on Friday during a media training that the organization conducted on reporting sexual and reproductive health issues in Lilongwe.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2024/05/11/unsafe-abortion-putting-lives-of-women-in-danger-human-rights-media-organization/

11.05.2024

News

Brian Ligomeka

Centre for Solutions Journalism

Malawi Penal Code

sexual and reproductive health

Democratic Republic of Congo: At the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023
HABYGAELLE MUZIE, Communications Advisor, Ipas

No matter the cause, humanitarian crises often mean an increase in sexual and reproductive health needs—yet access to safe abortion remains one of the most forgotten of those needs. Ipas Democratic Republic of Congo is making sure that access to abortion is included in humanitarian aid response to the devastating armed conflict in North Kivu.

North Kivu is in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an area marked by extremely violent conflict. Despite all diplomatic efforts, clashes between Congolese troops and an armed rebel group have displaced thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes to take refuge in makeshift camps. This instability has led to the complete collapse of the health system and contributed to a precarious health situation—with women, girls and children being the most affected.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/country-impact/ipas-democratic-republic-of-congo-at-the-forefront-of-the-fight-against-gender-based-violence/

04.12.2023

Commentary

Doctors Without Borders

National Reproductive Health Program

sexual and reproductive health

sexual violence

Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo

Health

Human Rights

Malawi – Youths struggle to access Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Oct 08, 2023
Francis Tayanja-Phiri

Girls and women struggle to access Sexual and Reproductive Health services in health facilities. Journalist Francis Tayanjah-Phiri discusses some of the challenges the youth face with the Executive Director of Young Voices Kenneth Mtago

What are the challenges youth face as they access Sexual and Reproductive Health services?
Mtago: The challenges are many including those that on socio-economic, cultural, and environmental conditions. Most youths are not financially independent and it is difficult for them to access quality services. Furthermore, some health facilities do not have youth friendly services, forcing the youth to shun hostile service providers with staff who have negative personnel attitudes. Imagine a youth seeking condoms from a health worker who remarks: Inunso mwayamba za chiwerewere? (Have you resorted to promiscuity?). The other challenge is lack of comprehensive sexuality education, resulting in the youth failing to understand their bodies. Due to low levels of knowledge on contraceptives availability, unsafe abortions are another problem haunting many girls and women.

Continued: https://malawi24.com/2023/10/08/youths-struggle-to-access-sexual-and-reproductive-health-services/

08.10.2023