FRANCE: Funding cuts and attacks against sexual health and rights organisations

Civil society organisations working on sexual health and rights have been hit with funding cuts and attacks by the regional authorities and politicians in France. The most targeted has been the Planning Familial, a sexual health and rights organisation maintaining family planning centres and offering support, and guidance on sexuality, contraception, abortion, and the fight against gender-based and sexual violence.

The Gironde chapter of Planning Familial received notification in June that the regional health agency would cut its annual funding, reducing the organisation’s operating budget by one third, with the association now fearing potential dissolution. The authorities justified the withdrawal of funding with the CSOs’ results, which were described as “inconclusive” as they didn’t always follow the authorities’ approach, measures, and conclusions. The authorities wish to overhaul their policy in light of poor indicators regarding sexual health and gender-based violence. This follows previous tensions in 2024, when the authorities had already threatened to cut funding due to disagreements over the content of sexual education programs implemented in schools. According to Planning Familial, they are being blamed for poor indicators, while state authorities themselves have failed to provide protection and education on sexual health and rights.

Similarly, the Planning Familial chapter in Carpentras has had its subsidies cut and been attacked by the newly elected National Rally mayor of Carpentras. The CSO has condemned the increasing number of political attacks against its member organisations and has reiterated that freedom of association includes the right to advocate for their vision of society.