Global Gag Rule

What is it?
The current global gag rule prohibits any overseas health clinic to use U.S. funding for 1) abortion services, 2) abortion-related advocacy, or 3) abortion counseling or referrals. This policy now covers the entire State Department budget.

How did it start?
The Global Gag Rule was introduced in 1984 by the Reagan administration and was first announced in Mexico City, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the “Mexico City policy”. President Clinton first repealed the gag rule in 1993, and then agreed to fund a small amount of related restrictions in 1999. In 2001 President George W. Bush reinstated the global gag rule by executive memo on the first business day of the new administration.

Who does this affect?
The global gag rule affects women in developing countries. Over half a million women die each year of causes related to pregnancy or childbirth- more than one woman every minute of the day. 99% of these women live in developing countries.
The global gag rule affects teenage girls in developing countries.
Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause in death for teenage girls in developing countries. An estimated 70,000 adolescent mothers and 1 million infants die each year because they are not physically ready for giving birth. Some young girls are not able to control when they have sex in their arranged marriages and DO NOT want to have babies at such early ages, yet only 17% of sexually active adolescents use any form of contraception.

The global gag rule’s other harmful effects:
In the world’s poorest regions there are clinics closing, lack of contraceptive supplies, fewer condoms available, free speech being denied, and women not receiving accurate counseling, or abortion services even where abortion is legal.

How to get involved?
Global Gag Rule Petition: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/advocacy/yan/familyplanning/petition.asp