The Soul City Institute for Social Justice is deeply alarmed by the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule and the pause of foreign aid funding under the new Trump administration. These decisions are a direct attack on the health, rights and lives of women, girls, and marginalised communities across the globe, including in South Africa and the broader Majority World.
The Global Gag Rule, also known as the Mexico City Policy, prohibits U.S. federal funding to foreign organisations that provide, promote,or even discuss abortion services as part of comprehensive healthcare. This policy has historically devastated sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) programmes by limiting access to essential services, including contraception, maternal healthcare, HIV prevention and gender-based violence (GBV) response initiatives.
In South Africa and across the continent, the impact of this policy is felt most acutely by women and girls in marginalised communities, whose access to life-saving healthcare already faces systemic barriers. By withholding vital funding, the policy undermines local and global efforts to combat gender inequity and improve health outcomes, further entrenching cycles of poverty, ill-health and violence.
At Soul City, we believe access to safe and legal abortion, contraception and comprehensive reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right. These services are not only critical to individual health and dignity but are also essential to building equitable and thriving communities. The reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule exacerbates the already fragile healthcare systems in the Majority World, leaving millions without access to critical care.
We urge the South African government to strengthen its support for local health systems and to increase domestic funding for SRHR to mitigate the impacts of this harmful policy. We also call on global leaders, donor organisations and civil society to unite in resisting this regressive policy and champion the health and rights of gender minorities worldwide.
In solidarity with our allies in the fight for reproductive justice, we will continue to amplify the voices of gender minorities advocate for their rights, and demand accountability from governments that seek to strip them of their agency. Now, more than ever, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare and advancing gender equality.
The time to act is now. We cannot allow the health and rights of millions to be sacrificed to political ideology.
For media inquiries:
Contact: Pontsho Pilane
Email: pontsho@soulcity.org.za
Phone: +27 76 142 5612
Soul City Institute for Social Justice is an intersectional feminist organisation that works to advance the health, rights and dignity of girls, women and marginalised communities in South Africa and the broader region.
