The FMUS podcast

Queer and feminist movements are on the frontlines against powerful anti-gender forces in Europe, with important allies in education, health, media and academia. There is much that Western Europe can learn from Eastern and Central Europe, say Ada Zabrzewska and Roberto Kulpa of Edinburgh Napier University. Their in-depth research shows that, while strategies vary according to context, visibility, meaningful presence, creativity and networks of support and self-care are key to effective and sustained resistance everywhere.   Résister aux acteurs anti-genre en Europe : est-ce possible ? – avec Adrianna Zabrzewska and Roberto Kulpa Les mouvements queer et féministes sont en première ligne face aux puissantes forces anti-genre en Europe, et peuvent compter sur des alliés de poids dans les domaines de l’éducation, de la santé, des médias et du monde universitaire. L’Europe occidentale a beaucoup à apprendre là-dessus de l’Europe centrale et orientale, affirment Ada Zabrzewska et Roberto Kulpa, de l’université Napier d’Édimbourg. Leurs recherches approfondies montrent que, si les stratégies varient selon le contexte, la visibilité, une présence significative, la créativité ainsi que les réseaux de soutien et de prise en charge de soi sont partout essentiels à une résistance efficace et durable.   #podcast #genderequality #poland #feminism

More than a year after the dismantling of USAID by Elon Musk’s DOGE and the freezing of the $40 billion U.S. foreign assistance budget, how is global development faring? How is global health, and sexual and reproductive health specifically, affected by the Trump Administration’s evolving policies? Did you know that, in exchange for U.S. aid, Trump now requires U.S. access to global South countries’ mineral resources and health data? Former diplomat Beth Schlachter, now with MSI Reproductive Choices, explains what has changed and how she remains hopeful. Episode 23 - 15 avril 2026 Aide étrangère américaine : où en est-on ? — avec Beth Schlachter Plus d’un an après le démantèlement de l’USAID par le DOGE d’Elon Musk et le gel de 40 milliards de dollars d’aide étrangère américaine, comment le développement mondial se porte-t-il ? Comment la santé mondiale, et plus particulièrement la santé sexuelle et reproductive, est-elle affectée par l’évolution des politiques de l’administration Trump ? Saviez-vous qu’en échange de l’aide américaine, Trump exige désormais que les États-Unis aient accès aux ressources minérales et aux données sanitaires des pays du Sud ? L’ancienne diplomate Beth Schlachter, désormais chez MSI Reproductive Choices, explique ce qui a changé et ce qui lui donne toujours espoir.

In January 2026, the Trump Administration further weaponized U.S. foreign aid when it issued a new policy, cynically entitled “Promoting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance.” Through three separate Executive Orders, the Administration now seeks to use $40 billion of U.S. assistance to bar Global South countries, the UN and any non-governmental organization (foreign or US) from speaking about or doing anything not only on abortion, but also on gender and on diversity, equity and inclusion. Jamie Vernaelde of Ipas explains how this could affect speech, activities, policies and programs related to women, girls, LGBTQI+ persons, racial and ethnic minorities and many other marginalized persons worldwide.

Democracy and human rights are under severe attack everywhere, including in Europe. Far-right actors use anti-gender and anti-abortion arguments to build their political base, win elections, and use their political power to adopt much broader authoritarian agendas. To defend justice and freedom, we must understand what these movements are up to. Roberto Kulpa of Edinburgh Napier University joins Françoise to examine anti-gender tactics across Europe, and how the actors and discourses change depending on the context.  Les mouvements anti-genre en Europe : comment fonctionnent-ils ? – avec Roberto Kulpa La démocratie et les droits de l’homme sont gravement menacés partout dans le monde, y compris en Europe. Les acteurs d’extrême-droite utilisent des arguments anti-genre et anti-avortement pour consolider leur base politique, remporter des élections et se servir de ce pouvoir politique pour mettre en œuvre des programmes autoritaires bien plus vastes. Pour défendre la justice et la liberté, nous devons comprendre les actions et intentions de ces mouvements. Roberto Kulpa, de l’université Napier d’Édimbourg, se joint à Françoise pour examiner les tactiques anti-genre à travers l’Europe, et comment les acteurs et les discours évoluent en fonction du contexte.

A growing body of evidence shows that we can prevent and stop violence against women and girls – from programs that reduce poverty, improve couples’ communication, question harmful gender norms or ban the corporal punishment of children. Avni Amin, of the World Health Organization, explains how RESPECT, a document that summarizes and evaluates available knowledge, can guide policymakers’ choices. Feminist movements pioneered many of these programs around the world, often with very little resources: now is the time to expand and scale them up!   Oui, nous pouvons prévenir faites aux femmes et aux filles – avec Avni Amin De plus en plus d’études prouvent qu’il est possible de prévenir et mettre fin à la violence faites aux femmes et aux filles, notamment grâce à des programmes qui réduisent la pauvreté, améliorent la communication au sein des couples, remettent en question les normes de genre préjudiciables ou interdisent les châtiments corporels infligés aux enfants. Avni Amin, de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé, explique comment RESPECT, un document qui résume et évalue les connaissances disponibles, peut guider les décideurs dans leurs choix. Les mouvements féministes ont été à l’origine de nombreux programmes de ce type à travers le monde, souvent avec des ressources limitées : il est maintenant temps de les développer et amplifier !

 Can women's rights still be advanced at the UN? – With Gita Sen Gita Sen, feminist political economist and member of DAWN, explains to Françoise why she has resumed her activism and lobbying for sexual and reproductive rights at the UN. At a time when the effectiveness and relevance of the UN are being questioned, this may seem counterintuitive. But feminists from the Global South are determined to use multilateral negotiations to reinvigorate demands for development justice and reproductive and sexual autonomy, and to counter so-called austerity measures such as the proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA.   Peut-on encore faire progresser les droits des femmes à l’ONU ? – Avec Gita Sen Gita Sen, économiste politique féministe et membre de DAWN, explique à Françoise pourquoi elle s’est remise à militer et à faire pression en faveur des droits sexuels et reproductifs à l’ONU. À l’heure où l’efficacité et la pertinence de l’ONU sont remises en question, cela peut sembler contre-intuitif. Mais les féministes du Sud sont déterminées à utiliser les négociations multilatérales pour redynamiser les revendications en faveur de la justice en matière de développement et de l’autonomie reproductive et sexuelle, et pour contrecarrer les mesures dites d’austérité telles que la fusion proposée entre l’ONUFemmes et le FNUAP.

Contraceptive methods based on awareness of one’s own fertility seem to be everywhere these days – promoted by MAHA health influencers, touted by evangelical Christians and ultra-Catholics, advertised by FemTech. But do they work? Why are women and persons capable of pregnancy turning to them? Did the field of sexual and reproductive health err in shunning them? Should we be worried by the deep-pocketed economic and religious forces behind them? Two experts in the field – Drs Rebecca Simmons and Chelsea Polis – provide nuanced and thought-provoking answers.   Méthodes de contraception basées sur la connaissance de la fertilité : pour ou contre ? avec les Dres Chelsea Polis et Rebecca Simmons Les méthodes contraceptives basées sur la connaissance de sa propre fertilité semblent omniprésentes aujourd’hui : promues par les influenceuses santé MAHA, vantées par les chrétiens évangéliques et les ultra-catholiques, mises en avant par FemTech. Mais ces méthodes sont-elles efficaces ? Pourquoi les femmes et les personnes capables de procréer y ont-elles recours ? Le domaine de la santé sexuelle et reproductive a-t-il eu tort de les rejeter ? Devons-nous nous inquiéter des puissants intérêts économiques et religieux qui les appuient ? Deux expertes en la matière, les dres Rebecca Simmons et Chelsea Polis, nous offrent des réponses nuancées qui invitent à la réflexion.         CD

Women’s Rights and Democracy in Poland – with Wanda Nowicka Two years after the far-right Law and Justice party lost control of the government in Poland, have progressives and feminists been able to reverse the damage to democracy and human rights, including women’s rights? Wanda Nowicka, member of the Polish Parliament and longstanding feminist activist, outlines what has been achieved despite significant challenges.   Droits des femmes et démocratie en Pologne – avec Wanda Nowicka Il y a deux ans, le parti d’extrême-droite Loi et Justice perdait le contrôle du gouvernement en Pologne. Les progressistes et féministes ont-elles depuis réussi à réparer les dégâts causés à la démocratie et aux droits humains, notamment aux droits des femmes ? Wanda Nowicka, députée au Parlement polonais et militante féministe de longue date, dresse le bilan des progrès accomplis malgré d’importants obstacles

Jessica Stern, former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance Human Rights for LGBTQI+ persons and founder of The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice, discusses with Françoise the connections between feminism and LGBTQI+ rights, why politicians weaponize LGBTQI+ communities and especially trans rights at election time, and why she’s working to center human rights as a core principle of US foreign policy. Tune in to learn how defending the human rights of marginalized people can strengthen democracies worldwide.  

Globally, girls experience adolescence very differently than boys do, explains Evalin Karijo, award-winning leader and Associate Director of the GIRL Center at the Population Council. 40% of adolescent girls (10-19) are neither in school nor in training or paid employment, as compared to 10% of boys their age. Early and forced marriage and early pregnancy still limit girls’ opportunities, and HIV incidence amongst girls remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. But we shouldn’t despair. Karijo shows that investing in comprehensive programs rather than in single approaches--for example, combining support for girls’ secondary education and job training, reproductive and sexual health services, with prevention of gender-based violence--generates impressive change. Learn more about the GIRL Center here. 

Dr. Rebecca Steinfeld (PhD, Political Science) is a leading expert and campaigner on reproductive health and rights. In this conversation with Françoise, she explores the complex world of infant feeding — from the cultural and medical pressures around breastfeeding to the realities many new mothers face.   Is breastfeeding always best? Why do so many mothers feel judged no matter what they choose? And how can parents make informed, confident decisions that work for them and their babies?   Tune in for an honest discussion about choice, empowerment, and the real challenges of early motherhood.   La Dre Rebecca Steinfeld (Ph. D. en science politique) est une experte et militante reconnue en santé et droits reproductifs. Dans cette conversation avec Françoise, elle explore le monde complexe de l’alimentation des nourrissons — entre les pressions culturelles et médicales liées à l’allaitement et les réalités auxquelles font face de nombreuses jeunes mères.   L’allaitement est-il toujours la meilleure option ? Pourquoi tant de mères se sentent-elles jugées, quel que soit leur choix ? Et comment les parents peuvent-ils prendre des décisions éclairées et sereines, adaptées à leur situation et à celle de leur bébé ?   Écoutez une discussion sincère sur le choix, l’autonomie et les véritables défis du début de la maternité.

American researcher, medical doctor, and President of Gynuity Health Projects, Beverly Winikoff, tells Françoise Girard about the latest research into ulipristal acetate, also known as the emergency contraceptive Ella. Available over the counter in many countries, ulipristal can be used as a much-needed additional option for terminating pregnancy. But would its use as an abortion pill endanger its emergency contraception application? And why has the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) been so afraid of mifepristone, ulipristal's close relative?

  What if healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, education and housing were rights recognized in your country’s constitution? In South Africa, they are! Sasha Stevenson, a human rights lawyer based in Johannesburg and the Executive Director of SECTION27, talks with Françoise about the brave and passionate work her organization has done, in partnership with community-based groups, to turn those rights into reality. From preventing HIV in newborns to ensuring anti-retroviral treatment to everyone and securing effective access to second trimester abortion, SECTION27 has led the charge.

Neil Datta, Executive Director of the Brussels-based European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF), discusses EPF’s new report Beyond The Chaos, a New World Is Emerging: Making Sense of the Trump Administration’s Impact on Reproductive Rights and Gender Equality. EPF provides technical support to 30 all-party parliamentary groups across Europe to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. Under Neil’s leadership, EPF has also become a prominent source of information and analysis on the strategies and funding sources of far-right anti-gender movements in Europe and beyond.  Neil explains how he expects Trump 2.0 to pivot from destruction towards the consolidation of new norms and creation of an entirely new set of global and regional organizations and programs dedicated to a religious right-wing vision of sexual and reproductive health.

Dr. Satang Nabaneh, an award-winning legal scholar and Director of Programs at the University of Dayton’s Human Rights Center, discusses her recent edited volume, Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: politics of criminalization, that examines the role of criminal law in combatting this harmful traditional practice. Nabaneh reflects on legal strategies to end FGM, the situation in The Gambia and elsewhere in Africa, and how African feminist movements are organizing to end FGM.

María Antonieta is a Mexican feminist, an advocate for women’s and youth rights with over 20 years’ experience as a leader in the struggle for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Early in her career, she founded Balance, a feminist organization that supports women and adolescents in Mexico to make free choices about their sexuality. Most recently, she was the Executive Director of Ipas Latin America and Caribbean, where she help spearhead advances in abortion rights across the region. In this episode, she and Françoise discuss the ongoing decriminalization of abortion in Mexico, the strategies used by the feminist movement to achieve this stunning success, the inspiration the movement draws from abortion activism across the region and notably in Argentina (the “Marea Verde”), and the challenges that remain.

Vanessa Daniel is the author of the just published Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone about Winning. The founder and CEO for 17 years of the Groundswell Fund, a leading funder of WOC-led grassroots and electoral organizing, Vanessa worked as a labor and community organizer for over 25 years. She and Françoise discuss the obstacles to WOC leadership in social movements in the US and the often perplexing dynamics in those movements, what “superpowers” WOC bring to the struggle for justice and equity and what we all can do to support WOC leaders, so we can all win.

Pregnant persons in the US face increased criminalization for their pregnancy decisions and outcomes, even in so-called “blue” states that guarantee the right to abortion. Denise Tomasini-Joshi, the co-CEO of If/When/Now: Lawyers for Reproductive Justice, discusses this worrying trend with Françoise, and outlines the actions her organization is taking to protect reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.

The Trump Administration is pulling out of the World Health Organization, reneging on the Sustainable Development Goals, and no longer participating in the ongoing negotiations for a global pandemic treaty. Nina Schwalbe, CEO of public health think tank Spark Street Advisors, discusses with Françoise the implications for global health of these destructive actions.

Françoise speaks to Monica Oguttu of Kenya about the catastrophic cuts to USAID by Elon Musk’s so-called ‘DOGE,’ and their dire impact on the lives and health of women and girls on the ground. Monica is a nurse-midwife, a health advocate, and the Executive Director of KMET, the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust in Western Kenya. 

Dr. Angel Foster is a professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa and held the 2011-2016 Endowed Chair in Women’s Health Research. Francoise speaks to her about making medical abortion care available to women who need it an era of increasing restriction. 

In this episode, Françoise interviews Jodi Jacobson, the Founder and Executive Director of Healthcare Across Borders, as well as Founder and Editor of Rewire News. Françoise and Jodi describe the challenges of maintaining  access to sexual and reproductive health  in the face of rising attacks from the authoritarian right. 

In this episode, Françoise interviews Beth Schlachter, Senior Director of US External Relations MSI Reproductive Choices. They discuss the ongoing dismantling of USAID by the Trump administration and its harmful impact on millions worldwide.

Fred Rioux discute avec Françoise Girard, fondatrice de FMUS de l'histoire derrière la fondation de FMUS. Les sujets abordés comprennent la façon dont le féminisme apporte plus de justice, de liberté et de bonheur dans le monde. Françoise évoque également la tendance des mouvements autoritaires à tenter de contrôler l'autonomie corporelle des femmes et des jeunes filles.   

In this pilot episode, Tony Babinski interviews Françoise Girard, founder of Feminism Makes Us Smarter (FMUS.) She speaks about her journey, and the importance of feminism in the lives of women, girls, and those who support them. Among the topics she covers are the improved social outcomes in justice, freedom and happiness in places where feminism thrives, and the threat to women and girls from the rise of authoritarian movements that seek to control bodily autonomy.