President Trump has reinstated and expanded the notorious Mexico City Policy -- or Global Gag Rule -- that forces health providers to choose between receiving U.S. health funding or providing women with information about abortion, referrals and safe services.
Putting a ‘gag order’ on local providers who know the laws and needs of their communities is outrageous and unsafe. The impact of the rule under prior U.S. Administrations has been dramatic--many organizations were forced to slash services or even shut their doors because they lost US funding for even mentioning abortion. And, evidence has shown that the Global Gag Rule has not reduced the incidence of abortion. Instead, by eliminating access to contraception, it has led to more unintended pregnancies and more unsafe abortions.
By choosing not to sign the Global Gag Rule, IPPF/WHR and its local partners will lose approximately $7 million in life-saving services like contraception, Zika prevention, and education for the most underserved in the region.
Millions of women across the world marched after Trump's inauguration to proclaim that women's rights are human rights.
Sign our petition opposing the Global Gag Rule. Tell President Trump: we will not be gagged when women stand to lose.
