Donald Trump has secured a second term, setting the stage for a dramatic rollback of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the United States and beyond. His administration’s first term demonstrated a clear agenda: dismantling reproductive freedoms, restricting access to abortion, and cutting funding for international health programs. Now, with an emboldened conservative movement and a Supreme Court stacked with anti-abortion justices, the consequences will be even more severe.

Florida’s Abortion Ban: A Warning for the Future

The failure of Florida’s Amendment 4, which would have protected abortion rights before viability, signals a bleak future for reproductive rights in the U.S. The amendment fell just 3% short of the 60% needed to pass, keeping in place the state’s extreme six-week abortion ban. Most people do not even know they are pregnant at six weeks, making the ban a near-total restriction on abortion access.

With Trump back in power, a nationwide abortion ban is now a real possibility. Conservative lawmakers, emboldened by his victory, will push for more extreme restrictions, forcing millions to travel across state lines or resort to unsafe procedures. Healthcare providers already report fears of prosecution for providing essential reproductive care, including miscarriage treatment. The effects will be felt most acutely by marginalized communities, particularly low-income individuals who cannot afford to travel.

Trump’s Anti-Choice Agenda

Trump’s first term saw the appointment of three Supreme Court justices who played a pivotal role in overturning Roe v. Wade. His administration reinstated and expanded the Global Gag Rule, cutting U.S. funding for organizations that provide or even discuss abortion services abroad. He championed state-level abortion bans and supported policies that restricted access to contraception and comprehensive reproductive healthcare.

Now, with full control of the executive branch and a Supreme Court poised to uphold conservative rulings, the landscape for reproductive rights will deteriorate rapidly. Trump has already indicated support for stricter abortion laws and has refused to rule out a national abortion ban. State governments will take his victory as a green light to pass even more restrictive policies.

The Global Impact of Trump’s Second Term

Trump’s policies will not only affect people in the U.S. His return to office will have far-reaching consequences for reproductive healthcare worldwide. The Global Gag Rule was reinstated immediately, stripping funding from international organizations that provide contraception, safe abortion, and maternal health services. Clinics in Africa, Latin America, and Asia will be forced to shut down, leaving millions without essential care.

Far-right and conservative movements across Europe will feel empowered by Trump’s victory. Countries with restrictive abortion laws, such as Poland and Hungary, will likely double down on their policies. Governments that had been hesitant to roll back reproductive rights may now feel emboldened to follow the U.S. lead. International agreements on gender equality and reproductive health, already under attack in some global forums, will face renewed opposition from a U.S. administration hostile to these rights.

A Global Fight for Reproductive Freedom

Trump’s presidency is a stark reminder that reproductive rights are never guaranteed. The defeat of Florida’s Amendment 4 and the growing restrictions across the U.S. mirror struggles happening worldwide. Poland’s near-total abortion ban, Hungary’s increasing restrictions, and Croatia’s systemic barriers to care show that reproductive rights are under attack everywhere.

To counter this global crisis, governments, organizations, and activists must push back harder than ever. The fight for reproductive rights cannot be confined to national borders. European governments must strengthen their commitments to SRHR, ensuring that policies remain protective and progressive despite U.S. regression. Organizations affected by the Global Gag Rule need increased financial and political support from international donors. Public pressure and advocacy will be essential in resisting further rollbacks.

ASTRA remains committed to defending reproductive rights across Europe and beyond. Now is the time to act, mobilize, and push back against the erosion of reproductive freedoms. The world cannot afford to stand by as rights are stripped away.

By Katelynn Takacs