Yesterday, the Dutch government announced a billion-euro reduction in funding for programmes supporting sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, democratisation, and human rights. This decision threatens to halt critical initiatives backed by the Netherlands that support SRHR initiatives worldwide and efforts to build a healthier, more equitable future for all.
While we anticipated a reduction in the development budget, confirmation of these extensive cuts is shocking. This decision risks undoing progress made both locally in the Netherlands and globally in SRHR. Funding reductions will severely impact projects that advance bodily autonomy and self-determination for young women, girls, LGBTQIA+ people, and other communities who are often left behind. At a time of increasing anti-rights movements globally, these cuts will actively impact our ability to resist and push back against conservative and authoritarian forces worldwide.
Now, more than ever, is the time for solidarity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability within our sector. As more governments deprioritise or remove SRHR from their agendas, it is clear that funding needs to come from more sustainable sources. Our commitment to SRHR remains unwavering, and we must find other means to protect and advance it. Join us to find solutions to the problems we are facing, along with growing opposition.
Our collective commitment to SRHR remains strong, but we need your support to continue advancing it. We invite allies, partners, and supporters to come together and explore sustainable solutions to the challenges ahead. Join us in our mission to advance SRHR for all, counter opposition, and keep pushing forward.
In the coming weeks, we will turn to our community for support in advocating for continued funding. We are urging our members to come together to help sustain and amplify our work in SRHR. Help us by sharing this message across social media and clicking here to tell us why a global SRHR Knowledge Platform is essential.
Image Credit: Burcu Koleli for IPPF x Fine Acts
