US blocks aid for family planning

The funding cuts have hit countries like Eswatini and Nigeria particularly hard, where US aid previously covered the majority of contraceptive costs.

Health officials warn that the lack of access to family planning services will lead to an increase in maternal mortality and unsafe abortions.

The administration maintains that the policy is necessary to ensure federal funds do not support abortion-related activities.

However, NGOs argue that the 'global gag rule' is undoing decades of progress in women's health and development.