Every year on 8 March, International Women's Day celebrates women's incredible progress while reminding us of the fight that's far from over.
The 2025 theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Progress’, highlighting the need to speed up progress toward gender equality.
One of the biggest barriers to true gender equality is the lack of control many women and girls still have over their own bodies.
Without reproductive rights—the power to access contraception, safe abortion, and essential healthcare—women’s futures are stolen from them. But when women can choose, they can stay in school, build careers, and take charge of their lives.
Reproductive rights are about freedom and dignity
Every woman and girl deserves the right to decide if and when to have children. But in too many places, these rights are under attack. Without access to contraception and safe abortion, women are forced into impossible situations—trapped in poverty, denied opportunities, and even risking their lives.
For women in low-income and rural areas, these challenges are even harsher. Without nearby healthcare or legal protections, their choices are taken away completely. This International Women’s Day, we must remember: gender equality is impossible without reproductive rights.
Reproductive rights change lives—and entire communities
When women can access contraception and reproductive healthcare, everything changes. They can stay in school longer, find better jobs, and build brighter futures. Studies show that when women can plan their families, entire communities benefit—poverty drops, economies grow, and children’s lives improve.
But when reproductive rights are restricted, women face unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and a lifetime of struggle. No woman should be forced to risk her life or her future because of outdated laws and anti-choice agendas.
This International Women’s Day, we need to be loud and clear: reproductive rights are not just about women—they’re about fairness, opportunity, and justice for all.
We can’t afford to lose this fight
The fight for reproductive rights is at a turning point. Around the world, anti-choice movements are growing stronger. And with Trump back in power, attacks on reproductive healthcare will only get worse.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. Around the world, we are witnessing a coordinated attack on reproductive rights, and we must stand firm in our commitment to protecting women’s health and choices,” says Merewyn Foran, Executive Officer of MSI Asia Pacific.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that every woman has access to the care she needs, no matter the political climate.”
"Around the world, we are witnessing a coordinated attack on reproductive rights, and we must stand firm in our commitment to protecting women’s health and choices. We are dedicated to ensuring that every woman has access to the care she needs, no matter the political climate,"
— Merewyn Foran, Executive Officer of MSI Asia Pacific.
Take action this International
Women's Day
This is not the time to stay silent. We need action. Support organisations fighting for reproductive rights. Call out harmful laws and policies. Demand better from our leaders.
MSI Asia Pacific is a leading reproductive rights organisation in Australia and beyond, providing life-saving healthcare to women and girls across the region.
Donate today.
Defend reproductive rights.
Reproductive rights are under attack, but we won’t back down.
Your donation to MSI Asia Pacific helps deliver life-saving healthcare, supports advocacy, and empowers women to take control of their futures. Stand with us. Donate now and protect the rights of women and girls everywhere.
