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A new report by the Guttmacher Institute shows that Dutch investments in development cooperation have given 8.5 million people access to modern contraception and 2.6 million people to HIV-care and testing. The new report has looked into the proposed budget cuts for development cooperation by the new Dutch government and the impact on girls, women and LGBTIQI+ people around the world.
According to Guttmacher, in 2024 alone Dutch support has prevented 2.6 million unintended pregnancies and 938,000 unsafe abortions, saving an estimated 2800 lives.
Dutch support prevents maternal deaths and teenage pregnancies
Rutgers, Plan International, and Aidsfonds, NGOs dedicated to sexual health, welcome the Guttmacher Institute’s report titled ‘Just the Numbers,’which underscores the critical role of Dutch development cooperation. The Dutch government, led by Prime Minister Schoof, recently announced significant cuts to development cooperation, which risk limiting access to essential sexual health services.
Marieke van der Plas, Executive Director of Rutgers, a Dutch NGO for sexual and reproductive health and rights, “Access to quality healthcare, including safe abortion, saves lives. With support from the Dutch government, girls and women can decide whether and how many children to have, allowing them to take control of their own lives.”
“For every 10 million euros cut from sexual and reproductive health and rights, 882,000 fewer people have access to contraception”
Budget cuts threaten to reverse progress
The proposed budget cuts could significantly undermine decades of progress. For every 10 million euros cut from sexual and reproductive health and rights, 882,000 fewer people have access to contraception. Additionally, the cuts will result in 273,000 more unintended pregnancies and 97,000 more unsafe abortions.
Garance Reus-Deelder, Director of Plan International, states, “Globally, teenage pregnancies are declining, and girls and young women are gaining control over their sexual health. However, this progress is under threat due to rising opposition to women’s rights. Cutting funding for contraception, education, and the fight against sexual violence only empowers these conservative movements.”
“For every €10 million cut from HIV care, there would be an additional 12,000 HIV-related deaths, 17,000 fewer people receiving lifesaving treatments, and 2,000 mothers left without essential medication to protect their babies from HIV.”
Continue to provide access to lifesaving HIV care
In 2024, Dutch investments will enable 9,000 mothers to receive medication to prevent HIV transmission to their babies. Additionally, 154,000 individuals will benefit from HIV prevention programmes, and 93,000 people living with HIV will be able to access lifesaving treatments, ensuring that HIV is no longer a death sentence.
However, for every €10 million cut from HIV care, there would be an additional 12,000 HIV-related deaths, 17,000 fewer people receiving lifesaving treatments, and 2,000 mothers left without essential medication to protect their babies from HIV.
Mark Vermeulen, Director of Aidsfonds, warns, “If we cut funding for HIV care and prevention now, we put thousands of lives at risk. Access to this care is not only lifesaving but essential for achieving an HIV-free generation. Every euro cut translates to more deaths and less protection for the most vulnerable.”
Dutch members of Parliament unite for global health and SRHR
The Guttmacher report was presented during a Dutch multi-party initiative focused on global health and sexual and reproductive health and rights last week. At this event, members of Parliament from eight political parties will commit to advocating for Dutch leadership in global health and sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Rutgers, Plan International and Aidsfonds aim to raise awareness for the Netherlands’ pivotal role in these areas and ensure sufficient funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide.
