Reduced aid hits global SRHR and LGBTQI work hard

Sweden has previously, regardless of government, had a strong tradition of pursuing SRHR issues globally. - and to be one of the largest donors to the area. Men now shows a report from RFSU a clear downward trend in the proportion of Swedish aid going to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  

During the period 2022–2024, the the support record low levels in relation to the total aid budget. Noath-takingna began already under the previous government, in connection with reprioritizations after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

At the same time, also USA reduced its aid. The country was 2023 the world's largest aid donor and the single largest funder of SRHR, but has during the year abolished large parts of the support, according to RFSU's report. 

LGBTQI organizations are being hit hard 

RFSL, The National Association for the Rights of Homosexuals, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer and Intersex People, highlights that reductions and reprioritizations in international aid are disproportionately affecting funding for LGBTQI rights and organizing, especially in the global South. 

– Reduced assistance to SRHR and LGBTQ-issues risk accelerating the anti-democratic developments we see globally, says Christian Hellqvist, international director at RFSL.

He warns that a growing right-wing nationalist wave is strengthening anti-gender and anti-rights movements, often funded by actors in the US and Europe. These aremovements opposes what they call “gender ideology” include work for hbtqi-rights and equality. According to Hellqvist has that contributed to a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation, including in Uganda and Ghana. 

Ghana is one of the countries that has taken this year steps towards greatly tightened legislation targeting LGBTQI people. A new bill aims to to criminalize same-sex relationships, so-called “LGBTQI activities”, and organizing or advocacy for LGBTQI rights, the magazine reports The Week.  

Liberia: Local SRHR and LGBTQI organizations particularly vulnerable 

Amplifying Rights Network (ARN), a network that works to advocate for SRHR in Liberia, describes via WhatsApp how the aid climate has deteriorated in recent years. three to five the years. CCentral donor countries and international financiers have tightened or reprioritized their support, which has had direct consequences for SRHR programs in the country.  

Local SRHR and LGBTQ-organizations are particularly vulnerable because they are dependent on external funds. 

RNA consisting of 10 different civil society organizations and was formed in 2022 with support from National Association for Sexual Education (RFSU)The network emphasizes that Liberia is heavily dependent on support from UN and other multilateral programs, especially in health- and SRHRarea.  

– When major donors reduce their efforts, systems quickly become vulnerable. Funding for the LGBTQI sector is already vulnerable because it is dependent on a few giver, which support is particularly sensitive to political fluctuations and legal restrictions, writes ARN i an answer to Uthe development magazine.  

ARN has not yet seen any reductions reflected in their own core funding. The network is funded by RFSU, which in turn receives support from the Swedish embassy in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.  

However, on December 5, the Swedish government announced that the bilateral development cooperation to five countries, amongst LiBeria, to be phased out. At the same time ska The Swedish embassy in the country will be closed. 

In a statement RFSU expresses that the phasing out of aid may have consequences for continued SRHR work in the country. 

– When Sweden's funding and the protection that international support provides disappear, then SRHR risks once again becoming a taboo subject, says Aminata Kamarh-Sneh coordinator for RFSU's work in Monrovia. 

Long-term work is threatened 

At the same time, same-sex relationships are still criminalized in over 60 countries, according to the Human Dignity Trust – Liberia is one of them.  

RNA emphasizes that inclusive SRHR policies require long-term investments in research, coalition building and dialogue with decision-makers. When fewer donors support long-term advocacy, progress slows down inom areas such as decriminalization, reduced stigmatization and sex education. It risks creating a vacuum that conservative actors will quickly fill andundoing years of work for equality and human rights, according to ARN. 

RFSL confirms the image. Hbtq-the movement is Today stronger and more organized than before, that reduced funding threatens the survival of many organizations. Without resources, they are forced to scale back operations, lay off staff oh, in the worst case, close completely. 

– RFSL can to some extent step in where other funders pull out, but it only covers a fraction of the needs. The risk is that several years of progress will quickly be lost, says Hellqvist. 

When asked what Swedish decision-makers can do, Hellqvist emphasizes that Sweden must take a clear global leadership role. 

– The government needs to be a strong voice for SRHR and LGBTQI rights within the UN, especially now that the UN system is being reformed. It is crucial that civil society is not marginalized. 

He also highlights the need for increased and long-term stable funding for SRHR and for LGBTQI organizing – locally, regionally and globally.

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