
Trump's Cuts Are 'Devastating' For Vulnerable Women Worldwide: UN
The agency has been targeted by US conservatives since the Kemp-Kasten Amendment's enactment in 1985 by Congress, when the administration of then president Ronald Reagan rallied against China's population policies, accusing Beijing of promoting forced abortions and sterilizations.
All subsequent Republican presidencies have cut US funding to UNFPA, and the second Trump administration is no exception.
"We've had over $330 million worth of projects ended," virtually overnight, in "some of the hardest hit regions of the world" like Afghanistan, Kanem said in an interview coinciding with the release of the UNFPA's annual report Tuesday.
"So yes, we are suffering."
Kanem pointed to the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan as an example, where over the years more than 18,000 pregnancies were delivered by "heroic midwives" who "conducted these over 18,000 deliveries without a single maternal death, which you know, in a crisis situation is extraordinary."
"Those maternity wards today have closed. The funding cuts immediately have meant that those midwives are no longer able to do their jobs," Kanem said.
Although it is too soon to estimate the precise impacts of the US cuts, they will inevitably result in increased maternal mortality and more unintended pregnancies, according to Kanem.
"What's different this time for UNFPA is that our ecosystem of other reproductive health actors who might be able to fill in for us," Kanem said, adding they are "reeling from huge impact of having their funding denied."
The Trump administration has slashed many such external aid programs.
"So it is very lamentable that this year, to me, has been drastically worse than ever before, precisely because now everybody is caught up in the whirlwind."
"The withdrawal of the United States from the funding arena for reproductive health has been devastating," Kanem said.
Desire and rights
American policy is not only marked by funding cuts, but also a challenge to gender equality matters.
"There will be debates about concepts, but there shouldn't be any debate about the non-negotiability of the rights and choices of women and adolescent girls," Kanem emphasized.
"We always embrace change, but we should not compromise on these common values which spell the difference between life and death for women and girls all around the world," she continued.
"Women deserve support. Adolescent girls deserve to finish their schooling, not become pregnant, not be bartered or sent off into marriage as a non-solution to issues that families may face."
The UNFPA's annual report, published Tuesday and based on the results of an survey of 14,000 people from 14 countries -- nations which represent over a third of the world's population -- also underscores concerns that millions of people around the world cannot create the families they desire.
More than 40 percent of those over the age of 50 reported not having the number of children they wanted -- with 31 percent saying they had fewer kids than they desired and 12 percent saying they had more than they wanted.
More than half of respondents said economic barriers prevented them from having more children.
Conversely, one in five said they were pressured into having a child, and one in three adults reported an unintended pregnancy.
The majority of people "live in countries where fertility rates have fallen so far and so fast that they are below replacement," Kanem said.
"We know that the issue of population pressure takes almost like a headline drastic view. Some people think there are way too many people. Others are saying we don't have enough, women should have more babies," Kanem said.
"What UNFPA really cares about is a woman's true desire, rights and choices," Kanem said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mint
16 minutes ago
- Mint
US is accepting ‘gifts' via Venmo, PayPal to reduce $36.7 trillion debt; leaves Americans fuming at ‘the audacity'
Several Americans were left fuming at the US government's 'audacity' in accepting 'gifts' via Venmo and PayPal to reduce the country's ballooning $36.7 trillion debt. The US Treasury Department on Friday said that it is now accepting these digital payment platforms on the 'Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt' page on The US public debt has increased by a whopping 87% from $19.59 trillion in 2010. However, taxpayers on social media platforms were unhappy to learn about this donation program, which has existed since 1996. Americans were angry about this latest push from the US Treasury Department for public donations to 'help' the massive national debt. They pointed out that each citizen is already paying the county 40% of their salary in tax. 'They literally steal 40% of your money and they have the audacity to want donations?' an angry American said. 'Wow, so now they want more money on top of my TAXES they take from me,' added another. A social media user wondered if the donation would amount to a tax write-off. 'The ironic part is that it's probably not a tax write-off,' he said. 'I hope the Treasury will report their own Venmo payments to the IRS,' an American joked. However, a few irked users responded hilariously to this new initiative and claimed, 'This might be the silliest thing I've ever seen.' 'Ummm. How about no,' said one user. 'Are we poor?' asked another. A user asked, 'What's next? A Go Fund Me?' 'WTF was the point of DOGE?' questioned a user. 'Tell Israel to donate all the money that was given to them,' quipped a user. They even tagged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said, 'Don't forget to help your best ally, the USA, pay the debt.' A user wondered, 'Who would do this?' According to US Treasury data, the public has contributed $67.3 million since 1996, a figure that remains negligible compared to the federal debt. The recently enacted 'Big, Beautiful Bill' by US President Donald Trump is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, according to estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. The legislation has sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who condemned the move for raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, fueling a public spat between him and Trump. Amid mounting concerns, the US Treasury's latest push for public donations has been met with scepticism. The growing debt continues to cast doubt on the long-term sustainability of US fiscal policy and the impact of such symbolic efforts.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Not just on borders, Cambodians and Thais battle it out on social media as well
A different battle is already unfolding online, as citizens from both Thailand and Cambodia engage in fierce, hostile exchanges on social media platforms read more Royal Thai Army soldiers are pictured on armoured vehicles on a road in Chachoengsao province. Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on July 24 as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery. AFP The deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia this week, which claimed over a dozen lives, have heightened fears of a full-scale conflict in the region. The clashes have already prompted regional governments to work urgently to prevent war. Yet, a different battle is already unfolding online, as citizens from both nations engage in fierce, hostile exchanges on social media platforms. Tensions, which have been simmering since a skirmish in May killed a Cambodian soldier, escalated dramatically with Thursday's deadly attacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conflict enters digital realm The longstanding rivalry between Thai and Cambodian nationalists, often centred on disputes over cultural heritage—such as temples, territories, traditional dances, costumes, food, and sports—has now spilt into the digital realm with renewed intensity. Young people from both sides are fueling the conflict online, trading insults and defending their governments' narratives in the comment sections of social media posts. One Cambodian user wrote, 'Justice for Cambodia,' on a TikTok video attempting to explain the conflict, adding, 'Thai troops opened fire on Cambodian forces first.' A Thai user shot back, '[Who's] gonna trust [what] the largest scammer country said?"—a jab at Cambodia's notorious scam centres that have ensnared countless victims. Another Thai user, rallying support on X, posted, 'Cambodia fired at Thailand first. This is the truth. Join in using the hashtag #CambodiaOpenedFire,' in a message that garnered a million views. Cambodians, in response, have taken to using the hashtag 'Thailand opened fire' while sharing their own videos about the conflict. Deepening divisions The deteriorating relationship between the two nations has reached its lowest point in a decade, with both governments imposing travel restrictions and bolstering military presence along their shared border since May. The escalating online rhetoric has raised alarms about deepening divisions between the two countries' populations. In a rare joint statement issued in May, Thai and Cambodian journalists' associations warned that social media users have 'circulated information without clear sources' and 'caused confusion.' They called on users to 'carefully consider the potential consequences' of sharing inflammatory content related to the border dispute. As Cambodia pushes for a ceasefire, it remains uncertain whether the online aggression will subside. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Complicating matters, influential political figures from both sides, active on social media, are also trading barbs. Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, a polarising populist, posted on X about offers to mediate the conflict but added, 'But I asked for some time because I have to let the Thai military teach Hun Sen a lesson for his cunningness.' Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen, still a dominant force in Cambodian politics, fired back on Friday via his X account, stating, 'I am not surprised by Thaksin's attitude toward me, because he has even betrayed the Thai King, as well as members of his own party. Now, under the pretext of taking revenge on Hun Sen, he is resorting to war, the ultimate consequence of which will be the suffering of the people.'


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump calls Epstein file scrutiny a "con job", blames Democrats
US President Donald Trump has termed as "con job" the controversy surrounding his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and sharply criticised Democrats over what he called a politically motivated distraction, The Hill reported. "The Radical Left Democrats are doing everything in their power to distract and obfuscate from our GREAT six months of service to America, results of which many are saying is the BEST six months in Presidential history," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added, "They have gone absolutely CRAZY, and are playing another Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax but, this time, under the guise of what we will call the Jeffrey Epstein SCAM." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Others Leadership PGDM MCA Design Thinking Data Analytics Technology Cybersecurity healthcare Management Product Management Data Science Finance Project Management Operations Management Artificial Intelligence MBA others Data Science Healthcare CXO Public Policy Degree Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Calling the scrutiny a "Democrat CON JOB," Trump further wrote, "Hopefully, the Grand Jury Files will put an end to this HOAX." As per The Hill, the president had recently instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimonies from Epstein and his alleged accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision followed mounting pressure for transparency from both Democrats and conservatives, including members of Trump's own MAGA base. However, on Wednesday, US District Judge Robin Rosenberg declined the Department of Justice's request, saying, "The Court's hands are tied." Live Events Trump, responding to the legal setback, questioned why Democrats did not unseal the documents during former President Biden's tenure, when they held a Senate majority. According to The Hill, a newly released Trump administration memo concluded that Epstein did not maintain a "client list" and reaffirmed that the financier's 2019 death in jail remains officially ruled a suicide -- findings that have only intensified calls for clarity from the Department of Justice. A recent Emerson College Polling survey cited by The Hill showed that over 50 percent of voters disapprove of the administration's handling of the Epstein probe. A separate Fox News poll found that 60 percent of GOP voters believe the government is not being transparent about the case files. The fallout has led to divisions within the Republican Party. As The Hill reported, House Speaker Mike Johnson told CBS News that the case is "not a hoax," a marked departure from Trump's "witch hunt" framing. Rep. Thomas Massie, a frequent critic of Trump, announced plans to introduce a bipartisan resolution -- co-sponsored by Democrat Ro Khanna -- to compel the administration to release all Epstein-related documents. Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell on Thursday and is expected to continue questioning her Friday. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer also issued a subpoena for Maxwell, with plans to depose her on August 11, The Hill said.