Permanently Repealing the Global Gag Rule Will Internationally Advance Reproductive and Sexual Health

Abstract

The Global Gag Rule bans foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that receive U.S. global health assistance funding from providing abortion services and referrals, advocating for abortion rights, or funding other organizations that provide abortion-related services. The rule presents a double bind: if NGOs elect to continue providing abortion-related care, they must forgo U.S. funding, requiring them to roll back services across the board. This reduces access to contraceptives, family planning resources, and maternal and child healthcare. The alternate option is to shut down abortion-related care to retain U.S. funding. Thus, the rule is ineffective in its purpose as it creates barriers to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, leading to increases in unintended pregnancies, abortions, and newborn and maternal death rates. In addition, restricted funding has negative implications for HIV/AIDS and reproductive cancer screening and treatment. The rule is currently implemented and repealed by each incoming president using executive orders. The United States Congress should pass the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act and repeal the Helms Amendment. This will permanently revoke the Global Gag Rule and reduce unintended pregnancies, abortions, and child and maternal mortality rates across the world.