A Quintet of Crucial Incidents in the Assault on the Freedoms of Women and Girls in This Past Year.

This time last year, groups dedicated to gender equality were bracing themselves for a new Trump administration. Scarcely anyone expected. The flood and velocity of executive orders coming out of the White House were seen as a intentional maneuver to cause confusion and fear. The tactic proved effective – there was confusion, anger and exhaustion as networks struggled to plug the hole left by a abrupt cessation of financial support. But this was only the precursor.

The American government has been the central catalyst, bolstered by fervent lobbying efforts by religious fundamentalist networks using the moment to forge international alliances with political allies.

Often termed the anti-gender movement describes a worldwide alliance of political leaders, religious institutions, civil society groups as well as affluent financiers and clans that work to dismantle forward movement on multiple topics. Areas targeted involve reproductive choice, queer and transgender freedoms, diverse family models, and honest sex ed.

They achieve this through influencing policymakers, funding litigation, undermining global initiatives to push for parity, disseminating propaganda, and supporting ideologically-matched groups.

We look at five episodes that affected the protection, honor, and existence of girls and women.

USAID Effectively Dismantled

In early spring, six weeks after a major US aid agency is frozen, causing international chaos, a senior US official confirms that the lion's share of the institution's work will be scrapped. American foreign service officers, ex-presidents and humanitarian and health experts denounce the action, warning that lives will be lost. Activists say that the dismantling of this institution is more than a funding crisis, it is a vicious offensive against basic liberties and family planning and reproductive care. A multitude of agencies say the impact on girls and women will be severe by diminishing aid, especially in war zones. As the year ends, statistics reveal how a tremendous loss of life has already occurred from illness, famine, inadequate obstetric services, and violence against women, with many more millions at risk. Two other major donor nations follow with their own cuts. A head of a worldwide campaign network says a move to cut foreign aid drastically is an attempt to placate a powerful partner.

Christian-Right Groups Raise Voices During UN Women Summit

In the same month, several conservative religious groups meet in an high-end hotel in NYC for a strategic summit held in parallel with the UN's flagship gender equality meeting. It is an forum to discuss methods on how to counter the UN's progressive policies. They are in buoyant mood as they welcome changes in American foreign policy on gender, diversity and abortion. Meanwhile, the world's top diplomat opens the women’s summit with a somber alert that “the venom of male dominance” is returning, after a study indicates that anti-rights actors are actively undermining historic agreements on key women’s rights issues around the world.

Conferences on Traditional Values in Africa

Over the summer, a cluster of meetings in Africa centered on the conservative family structures and national independence sparks alarm among equality campaigners. In May, a president and first lady open a large assembly to push back on what they label external influences undermining local norms. A soon after, another continental gathering on conservative ethics is held. Both events are participated in by leading American and European conservative activists, including presidents of prominent organizations. One speaker calls on African NGOs to resist “international liberal agenda” of multilateral bodies. In the following month, a global faith group hosts a event focused on reinforcing families in an African nation, an event that reproductive rights advocates say has become a forum for opposing queer and trans rights. Campaigners note that the level of external participation has increased markedly.

Contraceptive Destruction Order

As clinics in sub-Saharan Africa report they are depleting their stocks of family planning supplies, including post-rape care packages, the US announces in July plans to incinerate a vast stockpile of birth control held in a European depot. A leading family planning organization states that their destruction will deny countless females from family planning options, and lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies and dangerous terminations. The organization labels the plan an dogmatic choice “about imposing an anti-rights agenda on the entire world” and “a calculated move to control fertility”. A international emergency medical charity calls it “heartless and dangerous”. Charities attempt to acquire the contraceptives so they can be distributed to those in need, but the US declines every proposal. The situation remains unresolved as host nation officials will not allow usable products to be destroyed.

Widening of the Anti-Abortion Policy

Bringing back the anti-abortion funding ban, which halts US aid to groups that provide, advocate for or advise on abortion services overseas, is standard practice for certain US administrations. It came as no surprise when the rule was reinstated in the first month of the year. The administration also rejoined an international anti-abortion agreement. But in the autumn, the US announces it intends to extend the restrictions to include governments and multilateral organisations in addition to NGOs, and to include DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) projects. Further specifics about the broader enforcement are anticipated next year. A director of a major health partnership says extending the reach will have “unimaginable effects”. Reproductive justice campaigners fear that fresh American assistance deals being discussed with African nations will become conditional on accepting the broadened restrictions.