Despite the inclusion of language to permanently repeal the global gag rule passed in the House and introduced in the Senate, the final legislation fails to permanently end the harmful policy that has destroyed the lives of women and girls around the world for so many years.
It also does not remove discriminatory abortion bans like the Hyde, Helms, and Weldon amendments or include much-needed new investments in sexual and reproductive healthcare and international family planning programs.
We have watched the news with hope and joy on progressive changes to abortion laws in Latin America, thanks to the hard work and commitment of feminists, activists and organizations involved in the Green Wave movement. Unfortunately, parallel to progress, we have watched abortion rights in the United States become even more restrictive and dangerous for people seeking abortion care.
As well as attacks on domestic abortion laws, the global gag rule remains a serious global threat to the health and dignity of millions. Since 2021, a coalition of over 200 civil society organizations has been working towards the permanent repeal of the Mexico City Policy also known as the global gag rule. Whether their efforts are successful will affect the lives and health of millions of people seeking sexual and reproduction health services around the world now and for years to come.
With midterm elections coming up in the fall in the US, and another presidential election in 2024, there is strong hope that a permanent repeal will prevent any more back and forth. A decision is now expected in the US Congress on the 11th of March that could bring the Permanent Repeal of the GGR.
Dawn Laguens, Interim executive director of Planned Parenthood Global (PPG), talked to us just before the decision was made to not permanently repeal the GGR in this webinar co-organized by PPG and IPPF. Below are the recordings into French, Spanish and Arabic.
Also see this piece written by IPPF ARO Regional Director – Evelyne Marie Petrus Barry and PPFA Global Advocacy Director at PPFA.
https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-it-s-time-to-permanently-repeal-the-global-gag-rule-102713
French
Arabic
English