Front Lines

United States

In the first year of his second term, President Trump has escalated attacks on reproductive freedom–in the U.S. and around the world–through sweeping executive actions. Our new report outlines three urgent trends:

• Rolling back nationwide protections including emergency abortion care guidance, safety from clinic violence, and data privacy rules
• Targeting access even where abortion remains legal by undermining veterans' care, Medicaid, and Title X family planning programs
• Fueling misinformation to justify restrictions on abortion, birth control, and IVF

These actions endanger patients and providers, cut off access to essential health care, and heighten the risk of criminalization and violence. Our report also breaks down what to expect next as these threats continue into 2026.

🔗 Read our report: Trump's (Second) First Year: New and Emerging Threats to Reproductive Rights

The Trump administration announced an expansion of the Global Gag Rule, blocking U.S. foreign aid from going to any domestic or international organization that supports abortion care, gender-affirming care, or participates in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Historically, the Global Gag Rule has blocked foreign organizations receiving U.S. funds from providing, counseling, or referring for abortion services in their own countries. Research shows the policy reduces access to contraception, maternal and child health care, HIV prevention and treatment, and other essential services—while unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable deaths increase.

👉 Learn more about the Global Gag Rule

Global

This month, we secured a landmark victory when Zambia's High Court ruled in favor of our client, Violet Zulu, ordering her immediate release from prison and affirming that the charges brought against her for securing her own abortion were unlawful and unjust.

Violet, a single mother of two and a domestic worker, was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison after ending her pregnancy on her own. She had been unable to access affordable contraception or abortion care at a local health facility. The cost of contraception (about $2) and a safe abortion (approximately $35) was out of reach.

When Violet was charged in January 2024, she had no legal representation and the lower court did not explain the charges against her, the consequences of pleading guilty, or that Zambia’s Termination of Pregnancy Act allows abortion on socio-economic grounds. The Center for Reproductive Rights and our partners filed her appeal.

The High Court’s ruling sets a major legal precedent and underscores the Center’s role in using the law to defend women’s rights, uphold due process, and advance reproductive freedom worldwide.

🔗 Read more about Violet’s case