On January 23rd, an anti-abortion executive order was signed. It is the Global Gag Rule, and its consequences will affect and limit women’s reproductive health access across the globe.
Some think this is about not funding abortion in other countries. But that’s NOT correct…
Get Informed First, Then Take Action
We’ve collected top links on this issue, to help you get clear so that you can decide what the right actions are for YOU to take. Before you take action on one of the many head-spinning issues and policies that can affect women worldwide, we believe you should know as much as you can about the issues:
Engender Health explains the Global Gag Rule and its implications.
- What choice-related laws does your state have? Click to see your state.
- The Global Gag Order “prohibits any involvement with abortion in order for an NGO (non-governmental organization) to receive funding from the U.S. for family planning. This means that an organization can’t even use its own money—not only for providing abortions, but for a physician counseling his/her patient as to the best care for her, or referring a patient to another place for that necessary medical care. It means that patients won’t have condoms to reduce HIV transmission.” Read more from Forbes.
- Documentation and analysis of the impact of the Global Gag Rule have shown that the policy restricts a basic right to speech and the right to make informed health decisions. Read more from Gender Health.
- The signed order will inadvertently impact programs that help with HIV/AIDS, malaria, and children’s health abroad. “Organizations working on AIDS, malaria, or maternal and child health will have to make sure that none of their programs involves so much as an abortion referral.”
The Risk of Repeal: How ACA Repeal Will Hurt Women’s Health and Economic Security
COALITION STATEMENT ON OPPOSING THE GLOBAL GAG RULE
“While the Helms Amendment restricts U.S. foreign assistance funding for abortions “as a method of family planning,” the global gag rule goes a step further by blocking aid to foreign organizations who use their own non-U.S. funds to provide information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or to advocate for access to abortion services in their own country.” Click here to read Refugees International’s Coalition Statement on Opposing the Global Gag Rule.
“We know, based on what we have seen over 40 years of global health work, that this will mean thousands of global health organizations will shut down, including ones that deal with Zika, HIV, and maternal health.” Read more.
5 Ways to Take Action Now:
1) Tell Your Representative to Block H.R. 7.
The National Women’s Law Center petition explains that “if H.R. 7 were to become law, all women could lose insurance coverage that includes abortion.” Click here to learn more and sign the petition.
2) Fight Pregnancy Discrimination
This Prochoice America petition is based on the belief that “women deserve accommodations that demonstrate respect for a woman’s choice to start or grow a family.” This legislation provides workers with the protection they need to offer those accommodations. Click here to sign the petition.
3) Tell Your Senators to Oppose Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court
This petition was created by the National Women’s Law Center. “The Supreme Court decides the fundamental legal rights that women rely on every day: the constitutional right to privacy, including Roe v. Wade, and equal protection; important health and safety regulations, and laws that protect against sex discrimination and sexual harassment at work and at school.” Click here to learn more and sign the petition.
Tweet: Women deserve accommodations that demonstrate respect for a woman’s choice to start or grow a family.
4) Urge Your Members of Congress to Cosponsor the Women’s Health Protection Act
This Prochoice America petition supports the Women’s Health Protection Act, which puts a stop to restrictions and obstacles that prevent women from getting the care they need and deserve. Click here to learn more and sign the petition.
5) Find a Huddle near You
“Huddles are part of the 10 Actions for the First 100 Days campaign, which launched at the Women’s March, and will mobilize millions to win back the country and world we want.” Click here to find a huddle near you or learn how to start one.
Over 225 million women in developing countries lack access to quality reproductive health and voluntary family planning services impacting the number of children they have, and their ability to feed, clothe and educate them. The Global Gag Rule intensifies this.
Access to these services is far-reaching: It saves the lives of women and children, reduces poverty, and allows women to pursue educational and income-generating opportunities. We believe that every woman deserves this fundamental right.
If you’re with us, spread the word and please share this post with 5 women you know.