PresidentDonald Trumpjust reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which some people call a “global gag rule” onabortion.
Read on to learn more about this global gag rule and why it matters.
If a health care provider didn’t meet the criteria, it couldn’t get U.S. moneyend of story.
Ron Sachs - Pool/Getty Images
One of these guidelines was that the organization couldn’t offer abortions.
The IPPF lost more than 20 percent of its funding when the rule was introduced in 1984.
Again, this global gag rule isn’t anything new.
Reagan introduced the Mexico City Policy in 1984, and the rule has been on and off ever since.
In 1993, Bill Clinton rescinded the rule, calling it “excessively broad.”
But George W. Bush reinstated it in 2001.Barack Obamarescinded it again in 2009.
Under Trump’s executive order, that is no longer the case.
Each year, the U.S. provides about $600 million to international family planning services.
This makes it possible for 27 million people to accesscontraception, and it prevents about 11,000 maternal deaths annually.
And none of that money is spent on abortions.
This is thanks to the Helms Amendment, which passed in 1973.
Because organizations that provide abortions often offer a range of other serviceslike contraception.
And if their funding gets cut, they have less money to put toward contraception access.
The rule reduced contraceptive access, causing more unwanted pregnancies that women decided to terminate.
And Hauser explains that this kind of legislation hurts marginalized women the most.
“Those with money can find their way to a country where abortion is available,” she says.
Hauser notes these consequences can lead to infertility or death.
We’ve updated our facts accordingly.
History shows this rule can and will impact women’s health on a global scale.
Feeling motivated to act?
There are tons of ways to make your voice heard.
SELF’s resources onfinding activist opportunitiesandgetting involved in policy decisionsare great places to start.
Related:
Also:Trump’s Victory Has Some Women Considering IUDs
