Leadership in crisis: a Nordic counter-reaction to Trump

Strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including working for universal access to family planning, are among the most cost-effective and impactful investments in health, gender equality and economic development. It contributes significantly to reducing maternal and child mortality, strengthens the economic participation of women and girls, and promotes educational and development opportunities. Unfortunately, freezes and cuts in USAID are creating a massive funding gap that could jeopardize access to vital health care services worldwide. Norway both can and should help close this gap. In both the Hurdal Platform and the Labour Party's programme for 2021-2025, SRHR, including family planning, contraception and safe abortions, is defined as one of the main priorities for Norwegian development cooperation. Norway also has an established position as a consistent champion of SRHR, both politically and financially.

We recommend that Norway:

1. Increases funding for SRHR by NOK 1 billion to compensate for impending cuts and to support the achievement of Sustainability Goal 5.

2. Emphasizes results and efficiency higher than proportional compensation. Even if some market participants are hit harder than others, the goal should be to help as much as possible -- not in itself to compensate proportionally after the U.S. cuts.

3. Prioritizes flexible support for international and knowledge-based actors, over earmarked support. It rigs the actors for quick and targeted response to the changes to come.

4. Prioritizes “best in class” measures if specific programs are to be supported.

5. Mobilizes several donor countries to increase their contributions; in particular, it should be possible to obtain an expanded Nordic Alliance for SRHR, consisting of countries such as Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Germany.