RFSU alerts: How Sweden and the EU can tackle the global consequences of Project 2025
A new report from RFSU shows that “Project 2025,” a far-right, ultraconservative plan for a takeover of the US government, could have enormous negative global consequences for gender equality, LGBT+ persons rights, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). RFSU is now calling on the Swedish government to create a European emergency plan. Regardless of the outcome of the US elections, Project 2025 is here to stay.
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– The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Tobias Billström, must take the lead immediately and coordinate the work against the possible consequences of the far-right and reactionary US foreign and development policy manifested in Project 2025. The EU and European governments need to understand what Project 2025 could mean for people in the world's low- and middle-income countries and act immediately, says Lina Fridén, RFSU's President.
A global nightmare
Project 2025 is a political action plan by the far-right conservative, Christian nationalist think tank The Heritage Foundation, developed ahead of this autumn's election. It has been described by many as an American nightmare. It suggests that all power will be centred around the president, the courts will be politically controlled, and independent officials will be fired in favour of political appointees.
But the report released today by RFSU shows that Project 2025 is also a global nightmare: it proposes a total dismantling of US foreign and development policy. SRHR expert Malayah Harper has analysed the 4,000-page document, and the results are hair-raising. Among other things, the next administration is suggested to:
- Withdraw from the UN system, including defunding agencies like the WHO and UNFPA.
- Severely defund and undermine the US aid agency USAID, including changing all language that in any way mentions “gender equality” and “reproductive health and rights”.
- Introduce a new, extreme version of the so-called Global Gag Rule. With the GGR, US aid can not go to organisations working to provide information about safe abortions – even if they do so with their own money. The expanded GGR would disqualify additional organisations and UN agencies from receiving US aid, and it would apply to humanitarian assistance.
Project 2025 contains very concrete proposals to eradicate LGBTI rights and has a strong focus on making all forms of abortion impossible – inside and outside the country. All regulations and systems that go against a heteronormative, nuclear family structure and the rights of the “unborn child” will be dismantled.
– Today, 300,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortion. Without US foreign assistance, the world's maternal mortality rate would increase significantly. The implementation of Project 2025 would also severely limit human rights and democracy.
How Sweden and the EU can address the global challenges posed by Project 2025 and safeguard human rights
Lina Fridén, President of RFSU, is now turning to the Swedish government and calling for proper crisis preparedness. Measures can be taken to safeguard human rights, including SRHR, abortion rights and gender equality, from the far-right and ultra-conservative policies.
– Regardless of the outcomes of the November elections, Project 2025 will continue to inform policies – in the US and worldwide. The EU and European governments must spread the word about Project 2025 and put in place a crisis plan for its consequences, which will be necessary for a long time. There is so much at stake, she says.
Read or download the report
Download the report: ”Global Impacts of Project 2025. How the blueprint for the next Republican administration may impact US foreign and development policy on SRHR and gender equality” (pdf)
Download the executive summary, “Project 2025: An ultraconservative plan for expanding extreme anti-gender laws and dismantle the multilateral system” (pdf)
Resistance to SRHR in the EU, both internal and external
SRHR are human rights. SRHR, like democracy and other rights and freedoms, can never be taken for granted. If we look around the world, we become painfully aware of this.
- Authoritarian and populist movements in Europe and around the world are threatening gender equality, women's and girls' rights, SRHR, LGBTQ+, freedom of expression and the right to organise.
- 300 000 women a year die due to complications of pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortion. In many parts of the world, pregnancy and childbirth is the leading cause of death among young women and girls.
- Sexual and gender-based violence against women, girls and members of the LGBTQ+ community is widespread worldwide and increases in times of humanitarian crisis and emergencies, and armed conflict.
SRHR is at the core of the EU's fundamental principles and values, and is a prerequisite for gender equality, equity, freedom, poverty reduction and democracy. SRHR is part of the "European values" that the EU and the Swedish government want to safeguard. The time to act is now.