 |
| Akom Ita Nya at the 69th CSW in New York |
For transgender and nonbinary individuals, the consequences are deeply personal. Many now face increased obstacles when trying to update their IDs to match their identity, access gender-affirming healthcare, or find protection under anti-discrimination laws. Advocates fear that this policy not only legitimizes discrimination but also emboldens anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence. The ripple effect could extend far beyond the United States, setting a dangerous precedent for other governments considering similar restrictions.
But the U.S. isn't the only country making moves that raise alarms about gender justice and human rights.
Just a few months before, in November 2024, the Dutch government announced sweeping budget cuts, slashing over €1 billion from its development aid for the 2026-2030 period. These cuts disproportionately impact programs that support women’s rights and gender equality worldwide, putting feminist and civil society organizations at risk. The Netherlands has long been a global leader in gender justice, so this shift is both surprising and concerning [read more here].
Development experts warn that these funding reductions will undermine efforts to combat gender-based violence, support women’s economic empowerment, and expand reproductive health services—especially in the Global South, where these funds are often a lifeline. With fewer resources, organizations working with marginalized communities will struggle to provide even the most basic services, deepening inequalities that already exist.
Meanwhile, in Canada, the government has quietly eliminated key ministerial portfolios dedicated to Mental Health & Addictions, Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and Children, Families, and Social Development. While officials frame this as a restructuring effort, many fear it signals a shift away from prioritizing marginalized communities. Without dedicated oversight, crucial social justice issues risk becoming fragmented, underfunded, or deprioritized altogether.
The pattern is hard to ignore.
Across the U.S., Europe, and Canada, governments are scaling back commitments to gender equality, human rights, and social inclusion. In the U.S., transgender and nonbinary people are seeing their legal recognition, healthcare access, and civil protections stripped away. In Europe, critical funding for gender justice initiatives is being cut. In Canada, institutional frameworks for social equity are being quietly dismantled.
So, what’s really happening? Are these just isolated policy decisions, or are they part of a larger, coordinated ideological movement against gender justice? Are governments deliberately rolling back hard-won rights under the guise of “traditional values” and “biological truth”?
While proponents of these policies argue that they reinforce fundamental truths and protect social structures, critics see them as calculated attempts to erase gender diversity and restrict human rights. What’s clear is that these decisions will have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just those directly impacted but entire communities, organizations, and global movements for equality.
As these discussions take center stage at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the urgency to safeguard gender justice is more critical than ever. This global forum, dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, presents a key opportunity for civil society, policymakers, and activists to push back against these regressive trends and reinforce international commitments to human rights.
If this trend continues, the international community must respond with urgency. Civil society organizations, activists, and policymakers must find ways to push back—through grassroots organizing, legal challenges, and diplomatic pressure. The fight for gender justice has never been easy, but history has shown that progress is possible when people refuse to stay silent.
So, is there a hidden agenda at play, or is this simply an overt attack on gender rights, rebranded as governance? Either way, one thing is certain: The struggle for equality is far from over. The question now is—how will we fight back?
Remember in the words of Audre Lorde: "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."
By Akom Ita Nya, VOICE Global
About the author: Akom Ita Nya is an intersectional feminist, human rights and gender equality advocate with over eleven years of experience in policy advocacy, inclusion, and violence prevention. He works at the intersection of programming, advocacy, and human rights to foster systemic change and amplify marginalized voices.
Comments