We know that the demand for funding to support work on safe abortion is high. Our most recent call for funding attracted just under 1800 applications from every region of the world. And our team reviewed every single one. Thank you to everyone who applied for funding, and we appreciate your patience as we finalise the shortlisting process. As outlined on our website, we will be in touch with all applicants by email by the end of February.
Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications we are not able to offer individual feedback. Please note that the quality overall was very high, and unfortunately we are only able to invite full proposals from a small percentage of organisations who applied. We will keep you updated on next steps and the organisations who will be receiving SAAF funding later this year.
US funding cuts impacting SAAF grantee partners
The world is still reeling from decisions made by the US government which affect so many other countries around the world. We already know that the executive orders pausing US foreign development aid will have a devastating impact on sexual and reproductive health.
A survey of SAAF grantee partners showed us that the majority of respondents felt their work would be negatively impacted just by the return of the Global Gag Rule. As one example, the Alliance of Women Advocating for Change, a network of sex-worker led organisations in Uganda, has been forced to terminate the contracts of over 40 staff and peer educators working to improve access to HIV care.
We will continue to provide the support that we can, and stand up against the cruel and misguided removal of aid for organisations making a real difference to people’s lives.
SAAF grantee partner spotlight: Visible Impact
Receiving SAAF funding since 2020, Visible Impact is focused on improving the health and rights of girls, women and young people in Nepal. Though abortion is legally available on request in Nepal, many young people are unaware of their rights, and service providers are not always offering comprehensive care. Visible Impact provides training, including ‘bootcamps’ to ensure young people and health care professionals have the right information and rights-based values.
Their comprehensive training on medical abortion is leading to an increased number of nurse midwives equipped to provide abortion services, as well as existing health care facilities introducing safe abortion care.
Read more about Visible Impact’s work in Nepal.
This text is from SAAF’s most recent newsletter – please register here to receive future newsletters.