Freeze on USAID Funds Threatens Global Women's Health and Rights

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The recent decision by the U.S. government to freeze funds for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is expected to have devastating effects on women globally, particularly impacting sexual and reproductive health programs. According to Raquel Martín of the NGO Entre Culturas, over 100,000 individuals across 14 countries will face immediate consequences due to halted initiatives. In just two weeks, nearly two million women and girls have been denied contraceptive treatments that were previously funded, with projections estimating that four million unwanted pregnancies could occur if the freeze lasts 90 days, resulting in at least 8,000 maternal deaths.

The freeze on USAID, which contributed $43 billion in aid last year—nearly 40% of global humanitarian assistance—coincides with broader funding cuts impacting the international cooperation sector. Cutting off these funds threatens numerous programs crucial for women’s rights and gender equality. “When there are cuts, women suffer the most,” warned Martín, emphasizing the vulnerability of women in poverty-stricken areas. The recent changes coincide with the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, restricting reproductive health services, marking a troubling shift in U.S. aid policy.

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