MONROVIA, Liberia — A coalition of health advocates gathered in Monrovia this week to address what they describe as an imminent crisis in sexual and reproductive health services following sweeping cuts to foreign aid under the Trump administration.
By Joyclyn Wea, contributing writer
This initiative, organized by the Amplifying Rights Network in collaboration with RFSU, aims to foster positive change and is supported by the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia.
The impact has been immediate and far-reaching. Community health workers in Liberia have been terminated following what participants referred to as a “stop work order.” Family planning services previously funded by U.S. aid have been halted, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatments for HIV prevention have been authorized only for pregnant and breastfeeding women, excluding other vulnerable populations.
Research from the Guttmacher Institute suggests these disruptions could leave approximately 11.7 million people without access to family planning services, potentially triggering an estimated 4.2 million unintended pregnancies in 2025 alone.
The cuts come amid what participants described as a coordinated global movement challenging reproductive rights. Attendees noted that other major donors, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the European Union, have also reduced their official development assistance.
Presenting on the current state of SRHR in the face of development aid cuts, Aminata Kamara, Network Coordinator, RFSU-Swedish Association for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, said that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatments for HIV prevention have been restricted to pregnant and breastfeeding women, excluding other vulnerable populations.
The Guttmacher Institute estimates these disruptions could leave approximately 11.7 million people without access to family planning services, potentially triggering an estimated 4.2 million unintended pregnancies in 2025 alone.
The U.S. cuts are part of a wider trend. Other major donors, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany, have also reduced their official development assistance.
“Trump is the biggest example, but it’s a global movement of people retreating behind their borders,” said one participant who requested anonymity. They noted that Sweden had begun reducing its development funding, once maintained at 1 percent of GDP, before the recent changes in U.S. policy.
Several executive orders signed by President Trump have directly impacted sexual and reproductive health programs, including reinstating the “Global Gag Rule” and rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration.
Collaborative Solutions
The roundtable focused on creating space for diverse voices that might otherwise be marginalized in policy discussions about international funding. Participants developed several tangible action plans in response to the crisis.
“We must unite under a bigger umbrella to defend human rights, rebuild trust, and reinvigorate global solidarity,” said Kamara, arguing that sexual and reproductive health should be seen “not as a sector, but as a foundation” for overall human wellbeing.
The meeting produced a joint advocacy strategy aimed at influencing policy decisions related to SRHR funding. Participants also identified specific opportunities for resource mobilization, including potential partnerships with private sector stakeholders and philanthropic organizations.
“By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we aimed to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and perspectives,” explained Tulay Solanke. “This allows us to better understand the multifaceted implications of funding reductions and to discuss innovative approaches.”
The group committed to establishing support networks focused on improving access to reproductive health services for marginalized communities. Follow-up meetings and workshops are planned to monitor progress on action items.
Some participants suggested looking to China as a potential alternative funder, though this proposal sparked debate about human rights considerations.
“While we need new funding sources, we must ensure those partnerships align with our core values,” cautioned a participant.
Health experts warn that without sustainable solutions, years of progress in expanding access to reproductive health services could be reversed, with disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations.
The working groups formed during the roundtable will implement action plans with assigned timelines and responsibilities to ensure accountability in supporting reproductive health services moving forward.
