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Dutch government makes first donation

Rutgers is pleased about Minister Ploumen’s initiative to counter the effects of the Global Gag Rule. She shows that in the best of Dutch tradition, we would like the Netherlands to take the lead in fighting for sexual and reproductive health and rights. President Trump’s decision to stop donors financing all charities and funds that may only touch on abortion, will affect millions of women and girls. Ploumen’s proposal is therefore very much needed, indeed.

Rutgers is very concerned about the disastrous effects of Trump’s policy on women and girls worldwide. The Trump Administration announced just the other day they will re-instate the so-called Global Gag Rule. Trump announced that he is going to re-instate the Global Gag Rule. This means that the American Government will stop the financing of any organisation that in any way concerns itself with abortion, even when these activities are financed by other donors. “The clock is going to be turned back several years for all that involves contraceptives and sexual health. The world at large and the Netherlands in particular must not allow this to happen”, said Ton Coenen, Executive Director of Rutgers.

Young people in Uganda have taken a stand against a ban on sexuality education in schools, announced by the Ministry of Gender. At the Intergenerational Dialogue (IGD) on sexual health in Kampala, 3,000 youths expressed their discontent.

What does the world look like in 15 years time? That depends on the opportunities we offer 10-year-old girls, today. This is the theme of The State of the World Population 2016 (UNFPA), that was launched worldwide on the 20th of October 2016. If we invest in the future of 10-year-old girls nów, this generation will be able to develop themselves into independent, capable, confident and well-educated young women. They can make a difference in 2030. In The Netherlands Rutgers together with UNFPA handed over the State of the World Population to 10 capable Dutch 10-year-old girls.

This statement has been jointly prepared by 81 sex worker rights, women’s rights, and human rights organizations (list still in formation). We are writing this statement in response to UN Women’s call for submissions in an e-consultation about the development of a UN Women policy on sex work. A number of sex workers’, women’s and human rights organizations have been engaging with UN Women for some months about this proposed policy, stressing the importance of a process that meaningfully engages with a broad range of sex workers’ and women’s rights organizations as essential to the process of developing a policy. Rutgers is one of the organisations which endorses this statement.

Ton Coenen was elected chair of EuroNGOs at the Annual General Meeting, 3 October 2016 in Paris.

The colourfulness of diversity among women at the AWID Forum in Brazil was a privilege to witness. It was a momentous occasion that gathered some 2000 participants from across 130 countries. It was a platform full of networking opportunities, and for the personal and professional growth of individuals and movements.

Between 8-11 September 2016, Rachel Ploem will be representing Rutgers at the 13th AWID International Forum in Brazil, titled "Feminist Futures: Building Collective Power for Rights and Justice." In her blog, Rachel speaks of her excitement to engage in this global initiative of intersectional learning and exchange: an important step in realising an all-gender inclusive women's rights agenda.

In celebrating International Youth Day 2016 (12 August), we applaud the achievements and courage of many young people around the world in taking a firm stand for the future that they want to see and experience. The task at hand is to increase the number of effective youth leaders, and to create a supportive environment for their development. With our partners, Rutgers is undertaking a five-year holistic approach to achieve this ambition in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).