Funding Freeze at USAID Threatens Global Women's Health Initiatives

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A recent freeze on U.S. development funds impacting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is anticipated to significantly harm women's health and gender equality programs worldwide. USAID accounted for nearly 40% of global humanitarian aid, distributing $43 billion last year. Experts warn that the cessation of funds may lead to catastrophic outcomes, including an estimated 4 million unwanted pregnancies and over 8,000 maternal deaths if the funding remains frozen for three months, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Raquel Martín, a representative from the NGO Entre Culturas, stated, "More than 100,000 people in 14 countries will be immediately affected," signaling the wide-raging implications of this freeze. The situation has deteriorated due to cuts following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, forcing many NGOs to halt critical programs such as malaria and HIV protection.

Additionally, the Trump administration's reimplementation of the Mexico City Policy, which limits funding for organizations providing reproductive health services, adds to concerns about women's rights and health globally. Without swift resolution, experts warn that the humanitarian landscape will face devastating consequences.

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