US Funding Freeze Poses Major Threat to Global Women's Health Initiatives

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A recent freeze on U.S. aid, particularly affecting the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is poised to have grave consequences on women's health and gender equality programs globally. According to reports, USAID accounted for nearly 40% of international humanitarian aid, contributing $43 billion last year. Raquel Martín from the NGO Entre Culturas warned that over 100,000 individuals in 14 countries would be immediately impacted, with women being the most vulnerable demographic (Celis, 2025). The Guttmacher Institute has noted alarming projections, estimating that if the freeze persists for 90 days, it could lead to 4 million unintended pregnancies and approximately 8,000 maternal deaths. The Trump administration's decision to freeze funds and dismantle USAID is seen as part of a broader agenda to eliminate policies supporting diversity and gender equality, with implications for programs promoting women’s rights and reproductive health (Leal, 2025). The humanitarian sector, already strained by previous crises, is on the brink of collapse, raising urgent concerns over the future of critical services delivered to marginalized communities worldwide.

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