New report reveals Trump's strategy for a new global order aimed at redefining sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality and human rights
The inauguration of President Trump to his second term on January 20 was swiftly followed by an unprecedented wave of Executive Orders (EOs) and policy shifts that have significantly altered the landscape of gender equality, human rights, and democracy, both within the United States and globally. While some changes were anticipated—such as the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule and the withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)—others, like the dismantling of USAID, were unexpected.
These shifts are compounded by outlandish statements and declarations of trade wars with allies making it difficult to discern which actions are genuine policy shifts versus temporary political theatrics. Yet, as dramatic as these developments are, as of mid-February 2025, we have likely not seen the full extent of this transformation. The current climate of upheaval and the gratuitous cruelty are deliberate, designed to demoralize and create confusion, aligning with Steve Bannon’s strategy of “flooding the zone” and Naomi Klein’s concept of “shock therapy,” used previously in post-invasion Iraq. The muted response from traditional US allies underscores the extent of the uncertainty. We should not underestimate the scale of what is happening in the United States, nor its impact on the rest of the world.
Already, this Trump Administration in a few weeks has demonstrated that is has broken with many of the traditions of previous Republican administrations and is charting a new, unprecedented course. This moment requires an urgent and strategic response. The Trump Administration is not merely reshaping policy; it is constructing a new global order that will redefine sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and human rights. However, to build this new reality, the previous order must first be dismantled. There are many hints as to what this future course could look like. We can categorize this transformation into three distinct phases: destruction, consolidation, and creation. Understanding this will help us navigate the maelstrom of disruptive actions designed to blind us to their long-term goals.
Neil Datta
Executive Director, European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF)
Please email secretariat@epfweb.org to get full access to the new
publication "BEYOND THE CHAOS, A NEW WORLD IS EMERGING - Making Sense of the Trump Administration’s Impact on Reproductive Rights and Gender Equality"