Raising our Voices: Global Campaigning for SRHR

WGNRR’s dedication to movement building and strengthening is a testament to its belief in the power of collective action. By fostering solidarity, amplifying marginalized voices, and building the capacity of advocates working alongside communities, WGNRR continues to fortify the global fight for SRHR. As challenges persist, WGNRR remains unwavering in its vision: a world where SRHR is universally recognized and realized, and stigma and discrimination are eradicated.
2025 Global Day of Action to Destigmatize Abortions campaign: WGNRR was the co-convenor. We reached over 4.3 million people with this campaign in 2025 and partnered with over 180+ reproductive justice organizations and collectives across the globe!  See this online communications report for more details about the online reach.
Since 2008, WGNRR has been co-convening the global campaign with partners across the world.
We have also reached out to 80+ organisations to moblise for May 28th campaign on International Day on Action on Women's Health and Menstrual Hygiene Health and Dignity.
Here is the website on our Call to Action for May 28, 2025 campaign: https://may28.org/
SRHR is not just a health issue; it is a matter of dignity, freedom, and equality. It is central to achieving gender justice, asserting bodily autonomy, and building inclusive, sustainable futures. Yet, long-standing structural inequities, regressive policies, and the growing influence of anti-rights groups continue to undermine hard-won gains, deepening disparities and denying millions of marginalized communities including, young people, women, and gender-diverse people their fundamental rights.
SRHR cannot be separated from the broader web of injustices that shape people’s lives. The intersecting impacts of climate change, economic inequality, systemic racism, war, and state-sanctioned violence exacerbate barriers to accessing SRHR. In times of conflict and crisis, women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals face heightened risks—including sexual violence, loss of essential health services, and forced displacement. These realities disproportionately affect those already marginalized, compounding existing vulnerabilities and threatening their health, safety, and bodily autonomy. Recognizing these intersectional challenges is essential to advancing a truly transformative and inclusive SRHR agenda.
In 2024, over 70 national elections took place globally, and the effects of these electoral outcomes are already being felt in early 2025—especially in SRHR. The reinstatement of the Expanded Global Gag Rule (GGR), coupled with the rising of right-wing, nationalist, and religious fundamentalist movements, has emboldened efforts to roll back reproductive freedoms and gender equality.
Organizations providing essential SRHR services now face severe funding cuts, resulting in clinic closures, reduced services, and limited advocacy efforts. Simultaneously, anti-rights groups weaponize misinformation and fear, targeting comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), spreading regressive narratives, and blocking progressive legislation. Civic spaces are shrinking in many countries, and SRHR activists are increasingly at risk—facing surveillance, harassment, and violence for defending human rights.
At the international level, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) concluded in March with the adoption of a Political Declaration by consensus—but it notably excluded key issues such as safe abortion and SRHR. This omission occurs amid a renewed rise in anti-SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sex Characteristics) rhetoric, threatening the rights of gender-diverse people globally. Additionally, the United States has rejected and denounced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and has withdrawn its affirmation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This move is deeply troubling, as it may further influence other countries to scale back their own commitments—undermining a global framework that has long been a cornerstone of gender equality, health, and inclusive development efforts.
In recent times, there have been deliberate efforts to remove terms like “women,”  “feminism,” “advocates,” “activist” from public-facing websites, official documents and communications. These actions reflect a broader trend of censoring progressive language and rolling back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, aiming to suppress discussions on gender equality, reproductive rights, and related topics.
These challenges remind us that SRHR is inherently political. Our gains are not permanent—they must be defended, and reclaimed continually. Without sustained collective action, progress can be reversed.
Despite this repression, we continue to resist.

Links:

• Call to Action to resist

WGNRR’s dedication to movement building and strengthening is a testament to its belief in the power of collective action. By fostering solidarity, amplifying marginalized voices, and building the capacity of advocates working alongside communities, WGNRR continues to fortify the global fight for SRHR. As challenges persist, WGNRR remains unwavering in its vision: a world where SRHR is universally recognized and realized, and stigma and discrimination are eradicated.

In September 2024, there were 40 organizations from across the globe that convened at the WGNRR and Philippine Safe Abortion (PINSAN) International Exchange in the Philippines. The event culminated in a joint message of solidarity and commitment to advance reproductive justice worldwide. The International Exchange brought together safe abortion advocates from the Philippines and around the world, creating a safe space for sharing successes, experiences, and lessons in advocating for safe abortion.

Since its inception in 2016, I-Ex has provided a platform for advocates from the Philippines, Europe, South Asia, and Latin America to engage in critical dialogue and collective strategizing to advance sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. This year’s I-Ex occurred against the backdrop of significant developments in reproductive justice and global political shifts.

In the past three years alone, there have been major strides in the decriminalization and expansion of abortion care in countries like Argentina, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Nepal, Thailand, and Mexico. International human rights bodies continue to recommend the decriminalization of abortion to numerous states worldwide.

However, progress is not linear. These wins remind us of the ongoing need to protect and promote reproductive rights, especially in the face of relentless anti-rights and anti-choice attacks. The rise of anti-rights narratives, leaders, and networks presents a common challenge for social movements globally. In this context, the urgency for abortion activists and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) to come together, develop new strategies, and strengthen solidarity cannot be overstated.

The International Exchange was held as part of the campaign for September 28, International Safe Abortion Day. WGNRR leads the coordination of the campaign, working closely with partners in the  Campaign Working Group. International Safe Abortion Day 2024 underscored the power of collective action and community-driven efforts in making safe abortion access a global reality.

This year, the campaign showcased the dedication of movements worldwide, from collective actions across various regions to impactful advocacy campaigns. In 2024, the campaign reached millions through online and offline initiatives, breaking records with original social media content and significant media coverage.

The September 28 campaign achieved remarkable global impact, reaching over 166 million people through social media platforms and an additional 198 million through non-social media channels. It generated significant engagement, with more than 11,000 original contributions from individuals and organizations on social media and over 35,000 mentions across platforms. These metrics highlight the campaign’s success in amplifying the call for safe abortion access and mobilizing diverse voices in the fight for reproductive justice.

As WGNRR continues its leadership in movement building and advocacy, the momentum generated by the September 28 campaign reaffirms the collective commitment to advancing reproductive rights and ensuring safe abortion access for all.

Links:

• 2024 September 28 Campaign Report