Marking International Women’s Day (IWD), Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has called on Australia and other rich countries to step into the breach left by US President Trump’s massive cuts to international aid (USAID), to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and other organisations aimed at enhancing women’s rights and health.
SPA spokesperson Michael Bayliss says all these cuts are an assault on women.
“After decades of steady progress, women’s health and rights will suffer major setbacks in 2025,” says Mr Bayliss. “It’s not just the Trump cuts, but also conflicts in a number of countries which disrupt health services and expose women to greater risks of sexual violence.
“Meanwhile some countries are restricting access to contraception in a bid to increase birth rates. This is another attack on women’s right to choose when or even if they have children.
SPA spokesperson, Michael Bayliss, is available for further comment on 0423 701 611 from 7am AWST
“Last week, the Trump Administration announced it was cutting 90 per cent of international aid contracts, amounting to almost US$60 billion.
“On his first day in office, Trump paused foreign aid pending a 90-day review. However, only weeks later, the permanent cuts were announced. More than 5,600 staff have been terminated or placed on leave. In addition, thousands of not-for-profit organisations receiving funding from USAID will see their budgets slashed.”
SPA National President, Peter Strachan, says that, among the many life-saving interventions being defunded, family planning has been particularly targeted. Both the UNFPA and IPPF were defunded.
“These cuts mirror the first Trump administration, which also cut funding to the UNFPA, cut teen pregnancy prevention programs, reversed provisions for contraception in health insurance, and restricted access to abortions both within USA and in the many countries where family planning providers received USAID funding,” he says.
“The World Health Organisation is also in the firing line, with 12 months-notice given for withdrawing US funding.
“This situation demands much greater generosity from other rich countries like Australia. Our aid budget is lower now than it was 20 years ago, although it has risen a little under the Albanese government. We need a recommitment to the UN’s target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) spent on international aid. It currently stands at a disgraceful 0.2 per cent.
“The UN’s 2025 theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Progress’. It seems rather ironic in the face of so many setbacks,” Mr Strachan concluded.
About us:
SPA is an independent not-for-profit organisation seeking to protect the environment and our quality of life by ending population growth in Australia and globally, while rejecting racism and involuntary population control. SPA is an environmental advocacy organisation, not a political party.
Contact details:
Michael Bayliss - Communications Manager and Spokesperson
media@population.org.au
0423 701 611
Peter Strachan - National President
president@population.org.au
0412 400 952
Both contacts are based in Western Australia and are available for contact from 6am AWST (9am AEST).
