By signing this petition, you endorse Share-Net International as an integral SRHR knowledge institution. Your signature is a crucial show of support that demonstrates the value of a platform and global network like Share-Net International!

If you would like to pledge funds or discuss a financial contribution, please email our Co-Coordinator Dorine Thomissen (d.thomissen@kit.nl).

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Since 2001, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been a strategic and steadfast partner of Share-Net International, supporting the development of what has become the world’s leading global knowledge platform on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). This long-standing collaboration has resulted in substantial global investments by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the production, translation, and management of SRHR knowledge, enhancing accessibility to, and awareness of SRHR for countless individuals and organisations and strengthening policy and practice worldwide. 

Over the past two decades, Share-Net International and its seven hubs have built a strong network with more than 3,500 members across 90+ countries and have supported over 120 member-led knowledge activation projects. These efforts have empowered the SRHR community to advance progressive SRHR policies and practices, even amidst resistance to sensitive topics such as access to safe abortion and SRHR for the LGBTQIA+ community. In an increasingly polarised world - where SRHR gains are under pressure – maintaining a strong and credible SRHR knowledge infrastructure is more critical than ever. 

Share-Net International is now facing significant challenges since the end of financial support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2024. This decision - combined with broader funding cuts to development cooperation globally - has severe implications for the global SRHR knowledge ecosystem. Despite encouraging successes at the country level (Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Jordan) which we are extremely proud of and grateful for, unfortunately Share-Net Colombia had to phase out. Also, our efforts to find alternative funding for our global activities have not succeeded. As a result, international-level coordination of our knowledge platform, as well as continuous learning exchange between our partners in the Netherlands and our other country hubs, has become impossible to sustain. 

With this letter, we would like to once more express the urgency of continued investment in SRHR and Share-Net International.

 

Why is immediate action needed, and why are we best placed?

• SRHR remains far from universally realised. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are not yet guaranteed for all, and the sector faces many challenges, both new and familiar. Millions of preventable deaths and tens of millions of unintended pregnancies could be avoided if global SRHR needs were fully met, directly contributing to SDGs 3, 4, and 5.
• There is a global pushback against human rights and bodily autonomy. There are systemic and coordinated efforts to defund and delegitimize movements and organisations working on SRHR. In the current geopolitical landscape, movement building, connecting, and learning from one another is critical to resist this pushback.
• We are moving into an era of anti-intellectualism. We are seeing the erosion of evidence-based public health policy and the expansion of misinformation and moral panic. Evidence is being replaced by ideology and hard-won gains in education, health and human rights are being undermined. In this context, knowledge platforms that maintain open access to research are more important than ever.
• Knowledge and continuous learning are crucial for improvements in programme effectiveness, strengthening PMEL systems, and enabling organisations to understand, drive, and sustain lasting change in line with international development goals.
• Share-Net International plays a unique and irreplaceable role. We convene researchers, policymakers, implementers, civil society, private sector actors, media, and advocates in safe, inclusive spaces - actively centring Global South leadership and marginalised voices. We are the only Dutch-based non-profit organisation working with more than 3500 actors globally.
• Our work is grounded in a rights and evidence-based, intersectional feminist approach, ensuring that SRHR remains firmly on the agenda for a more equitable society.
• Meaningful and inclusive youth participation is embedded across our work, recognising the growing youth population and the distinct challenges young people face.

 

Call to Action and Support

In the past weeks, Share-Net International has mobilized its extensive community to advocate for continued funding. Members and partners have strongly affirmed that a global SRHR knowledge platform like Share-Net International is indispensable for advancing evidence-based, rights-centred SRHR agendas worldwide. Given the current political situation globally, we believe it is imperative to find a solution for Share-Net International to continue. In our efforts to find this solution, we are trialing new governance structures which include moving the Share-Net International secretariat to the Share-Net Bangladesh host organisation, RedOrange.

You can support us in two ways:

• Sign this petition and endorse Share-Net International as an integral SRHR knowledge institution. Your signature is a crucial show of support that reasserts the value and necessity of a platform and global network like Share-Net International!
• Make a financial contribution that would be allow us maintain core operations at a minimal but functional level AND sustainably transfer the international activities and secretariat to RedOrange/Share-Net Bangladesh. A total investment of € 200,000 EUR would secure a coordinator, the essential digital infrastructure, and a minimal budget for core activities, including facilitation of key Communities of Practice. 

If you would like to pledge funds or discuss a financial contribution, please email our Co-Coordinator Dorine Thomissen (d.thomissen@kit.nl).