In a recent cross-party report, British lawmakers have laid bare the grave consequences of the UK’s reduction in aid spending, particularly highlighting its “devastating” impact on women and girls globally. The Commons International Development Select Committee (IDC) has voiced concerns that the cutbacks since 2020 have not only cost lives but have also severely endangered pregnant women, with programs related to sexual and reproductive health being abruptly halted, often mid-way through their implementation.
This alarming trend comes against the backdrop of a harrowing statistic: nearly 300,000 women died during pregnancy and childbirth in 2020, a year marked by global turmoil. The committee emphasized that a staggering 70% of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the urgent need for targeted aid to address this crisis. Furthermore, it highlighted the tragic fate of children in these regions, with 2.4 million dying in their first year of life, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and central and southern Asia.
Sarah Champion, IDC chair and Labour MP for Rotherham, brought the issue closer to home by comparing it to the UK’s situation, where maternal deaths are at a two-decade high. Yet, she pointed out that the situation is exponentially more dire in poorer countries, where nearly 95% of maternal deaths occur. Champion’s remarks underscore the stark inequalities in health outcomes across the globe, further exacerbated by the UK’s aid reductions.
An equality impact assessment presented to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in July 2023 painted a grim picture, predicting nearly 200,000 more unsafe abortions in Africa due to these budget cuts. The IDC’s report echoes these findings, with Champion criticizing the UK’s failure to meet funding commitments and set meaningful targets for sexual and reproductive health and rights, ultimately failing women, girls, and marginalized groups worldwide.
The budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) saw a sharp decrease from £11.7 billion in 2019 to £7.6 billion in 2022, with funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) slashed by a third. This reduction has had tangible effects on organizations such as MSI Reproductive Choices, which experienced a 79% cut in funding from the FCDO for its women’s integrated sexual health programs. The UN Population Agency (UNFPA) also faced an 85% reduction in funding for contraceptives and reproductive health supplies in 2021.
The IDC’s report calls for the department to mitigate the damage caused by previous aid cuts by setting a minimum percentage spend of ODA on reproductive health and ensuring that programs are funded for at least five years to provide stability. This recommendation comes in light of the UK’s increased funding for several humanitarian crises, although specifics on SRHR spending remain unclear.
As the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports an all-time high in aid spending in 2022, it’s noteworthy that a significant portion was allocated to in-country costs to support refugees and the Ukraine war effort, rather than addressing the pressing needs of women and girls in developing nations. This shift in priorities has sparked a call for a rethink, with ActionAid UK’s CEO, Halima Begum, advocating for ODA funds to be realigned towards addressing global inequality and poverty.
The FCDO’s response, highlighting the UK’s commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe abortion, through its international development white paper, underscores the UK’s historical role in championing these causes. With a pledge of £80 million to the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents between 2025 and 2030, the UK aims to continue its support for vital services in over 35 countries.
This report serves as a clarion call for the UK to reassess its aid strategy, emphasizing the need to prioritize the health and rights of women, children, and adolescents in its global development efforts. As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, the decisions made today will have lasting impacts on the most vulnerable populations globally, underscoring the imperative to act with urgency and compassion.