Solidarity amidst drastic funding cuts to gender equality, SRHR and LGBTIQ rights

We write this message amidst difficult times in the field of gender justice.

As we all know, the USA’s Trump administration’s funding cuts and freezes, as well as those of other Governments such as the Netherlands, have had significant adverse effects on gender justice initiatives globally, and on the real lives of activists and practitioners around the world, including within the membership. 

From the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule which restricts funding to organizations providing or promoting abortion services, to the closure of vital programing and essential care services, to the job loss around the world from the funding freeze of USAID for its global programs, to ever more restrictive funding cuts to LGBTIQ organizations – these are tenuous times for the broader field working to advance women’s and LGBTIQ rights, including those working on men and masculinities towards these aims. 

At the recent CSW69 MenEngage Alliance Caucus meeting which took place in New York during the 69th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women, members of the Alliance discussed how to improve information sharing and resource sign-posting in the spirit of solidarity during this time. 

We encourage you to share your story of the impact of these emerging challenges upon your work, livelihood and the sustainability of your programs and initiatives. We hope this will be helpful to us – as an Alliance – in mapping the consequences of the funding cuts upon our work, as well as to open a space for collective care and conversation. 

We have already hosted a solidarity space for members to discuss these issues, and will continue to take steps to stand together during these times. 

We also share the following resources and kindly ask that you share relevant information with the group as well. Many thanks in advance.

Mapping of Impacts of Funding Cuts on Gender Justice Field

Various UN and civil society surveys aimed at quantifying the scope and impact of the funding cuts upon the field of gender justice and beyond. Know of others? Please share with jennifer@menengage.org

• Outrights International: Tell Your Story: Impact of US Aid Freeze on Global LGBTIQ Communities
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights invites non-governmental organizations and civil society actors to take this survey on the Human Rights Impact of Funding Cuts
• USAID Stop-Work Tracker: Maps the job losses globally and within the US due to the USAID funding freeze

Alternative Funding Sources 

Identifying alternative funding sources, including individual philanthropic organizations and other donors which are seeking to cover the funding gaps. Know of others? Please share with jennifer@menengage.org

• Foreign Aid Bridge Fund (Unlock Aid): Established in collaboration with various partners, this emergency initiative aims to support frontline organizations affected by the U.S. foreign aid freeze, ensuring the continuation of critical services worldwide. https://www.foreignaidbridgefund.org/
• Fund Our Futures Campaign (Global Philanthropy Project): Amid anti-rights backlash and dramatic shifts in the philanthropic and development assistance landscape, the Fund Our Futures campaign will raise $150 million in new funding for LGBTI movements.To date, 31 funders have committed $105 million to Fund Our Futures. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/fundourfuturescampaign/
• GlobalGiving: This U.S.-based nonprofit offers a global crowdfunding platform for grassroots charitable projects. Organizations affected by the funding freeze can apply to feature their projects on GlobalGiving’s platform to reach potential individual donors. https://www.globalgiving.org
• Community Grantmaking (Proximate): Participatory grantmaking is more than a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in power dynamics. But how do these models function in practice? Who gets to participate, and what are the trade-offs? This series delves into the mechanics of participatory philanthropy, drawing from real-world experiments and debates to explore how to ensure these approaches are meaningful, not merely symbolic. https://www.proximate.press/beats/grassroots-grantmaking

Thank you sincerely.

In solidarity,
Jenny, Advocacy Officer
On behalf of the Global Secretariat