The European Union (EU) has long positioned itself as a global leader in promoting democracy, human rights, and equality. Yet, the increasing prioritisation of trade and economic competitiveness over human rights and health within EU foreign policy exposes deep-rooted power imbalances and colonial legacies. This shift is not just an administrative decision, it is an act that perpetuates oppression, particularly for women, girls and marginalised communities in the Global South.
As negotiations for the next EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) progress, there’s already in the implementation of the current MFF a noticeable depriorisation of rights-based initiatives, leaving women and marginalised communities in the Global South disproportionately at risk of being sidelined in favour of profit-driven diplomacy. This, however, is not just a shortcoming of EU donor commitments but also a reflection of African governments’ unwillingness to prioritise the rights of these communities, despite their international human rights obligations.
Economic Justice, Power Imbalances & Colonial Legacies
The EU’s trade agreements and economic policies continue to uphold structural inequalities established during colonial rule. Many countries in the Global South remain bound by legal and economic frameworks that were historically imposed, restricting access to rights such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and protections for marginalised groups. Communities, including LGBTQI+ persons, sex workers, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities, remain economically dependent on foreign support. Now that this aid is being withdrawn, the power imbalance is more apparent than ever. This is not just about trade; it is about deliberate subjugation and the maintenance of economic hierarchies by both the Global North and African governments, restricting access to fundamental rights like healthcare, safety, and self-determination.
The devastating impact of the Netherlands’ recent decision to cut funding for crucial human rights programs is a stark example of how the Global North continues to dictate the fate of marginalised communities. One such program, which supported not only LGBTQI+ initiatives but also advocacy for sex workers’ rights, harm reduction for people who use drugs, and essential healthcare access for people living with HIV, is set to end this year with no hope of renewal. While organisations working on gender equality and SRHR have already raised concerns that these budget cuts could roll back progress on women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health services, the question remains, where are these communities expected to turn when the very support systems designed to counter colonial violence, legal oppression, and systemic inequities are now being dismantled? What happens when funding cuts strip away the only means of protection, legal advocacy, and lifesaving services for those already pushed to the margins?
Gender, Intersectionality & Systemic Oppression
Women, LGBTQI+ persons, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, and other historically marginalised communities in the Global South continue to be disproportionately impacted by policy shifts driven by economic self-interest, despite their resilience and ongoing advocacy for justice and equity. The EU’s budget reallocations and shifting priorities exacerbate the already dire situation, pushing these communities further into precarity. Structural discrimination, rooted in colonial policies, continues to define who gets access to healthcare and who is left to suffer. The entrenchment of economic liberalisation over a feminist and inclusive approach has dire consequences, reinforcing cycles of inequality that disproportionately affect those already pushed to the margins.
Health & Policy Accountability
Who Pays the Price? The recent US budget cuts to global health initiatives have destabilised essential services in the Global South. Now, as the EU might follows suit, the direct consequences will be felt in areas such as abortion access, contraception, HIV/AIDS treatment, and maternal and newborn healthcare. However, the crisis does not rest solely with external funding decisions. Many African governments have failed to prioritise domestic investment in healthcare and rights-based initiatives, instead relying on donor aid that is now being withdrawn. Without clear human rights benchmarks and policy accountability, trade agreements become another mechanism of exploitation, where profit margins matter more than human lives.
The Fight for Global Solidarity & Justice
It is not enough for the EU to declare itself a champion of human rights and gender equality while actively engaging in policies that erase the progress made by grassroots movements. Reports have criticised the EU for prioritizing economic and political interests over genuine human rights commitments, raising concerns about inconsistencies in its approach. At the same time, African governments must move beyond rhetorical commitments to human rights and gender equality and take concrete steps to support the communities most affected by these shifts.
The people most affected, those who continue to resist and fight for their survival, must be at the center of these conversations. Community-based organisations, feminist movements, women’s rights organisations and directly impacted communities must be recognised as key decision-makers, not afterthoughts, in boardrooms dominated by economic strategists. Despite their critical role, they remain underrepresented in EU-funded human rights initiatives, even as the policies being shaped directly affect their lives and futures.
The US has taken a clear stand in this regard and taken unwavering steps. The EU must clearly affirm its ambitions regarding human rights and gender equality, but so too must African governments. Will they continue to waver, or will they finally acknowledge that human rights and gender equality are not an option but a pressing necessity for a fair and peaceful world?
Conclusion
The EU stands at a critical juncture, will it uphold its commitment to human rights, gender equality, and global justice, or will it allow trade policies and budget decisions to further entrench colonial-era oppression? This is not just a policy debate, it is a matter of survival for communities that have already been historically excluded, exploited, and erased. The Global South does not need more empty promises. It needs tangible commitments, sustained funding, and an unwavering stand for justice.
Benedicta Oyedayo Oyewole – Community Engagement and Partnerships Lead, IPPF Africa Region
Illustration: Gustaf Öhrnell Hjalmars
Countdown 2030 Europe is committed to fostering global equity and justice by addressing the lasting legacy of colonial histories. “Fundamentally, decolonising our work is the right thing to do. It is no longer acceptable to continue with the status quo.”
