2 March 2026
We, the undersigned SheDecides governments and allies, stand united in our commitment to gender equality, bodily autonomy, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
We further reaffirm our firm commitment to multilateralism, to the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will continue to work as individual UN Member States, and collectively to defend these principles and to protect and advance human rights globally, standing firm in our commitment towards a world where bodily autonomy is respected and guaranteed for all, without question.
We express our concern about the increasing questioning of internationally recognised human rights and about current attempts to undermine and hinder global and national investments in universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The recently published “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance” rules seek to prohibit foreign non-governmental organisations, foreign governments and international partners from providing, referring for, or promoting abortion services; restrict comprehensive, evidence-based, and rights-based approaches; and redefine diversity, equality, and inclusion as forms of discrimination. Whilst the full impact of these measures is still to be determined, their scope is unprecedented, and risks constraining the delivery of essential health and social services and extending their reach to humanitarian actors, international organisations, and foreign governments alike.
These measures risk undermining gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights of all women, girls and adolescents, as well as LGBTQI+ persons worldwide. This is inconsistent with the principles we support regarding the right to health, which is advanced through expanded access to essential health services, accurate information, and expanded choice.
We stand united in our conviction that everyone must be able to exercise autonomy over their own bodies, lives, and futures. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are human rights, and we reaffirm our unwavering support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe legal abortion as fundamental to gender equality and to the health, dignity, and well-being of all.
The government signatories of this statement were (at 15 April 2026): Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, France
Our focus
1. Abortion: Access to safe legal abortion is a human right.
2: Sexuality education.
3. Young people’s bodily autonomy.