The Global Gag Rule

Abstract

The Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, is a U.S policy that requires foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving U.S. global health funding to certify that they will not perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning. In 2017, President Donald Trump expanded the policy’s reach to include all global health assistance funding from U.S. agencies and departments. It is estimated that 1,275 foreign NGOs and US$8.8 billion in global health funding are subject to Trump’s expanded policy. Globally, an additional 2.2 million abortions, including 2.1 million unsafe abortions, are estimated to occur from 2017 to 2020 under President Trump’s administration. The Global Gag Rule undermines local sovereignty and jurisdiction over reproductive health law in countries that require these funds to operate and provide comprehensive reproductive services. This case study will highlight the effects of this policy by evaluating its quantitative and qualitative impacts and discussing the future implications for countries impacted by the policy. Results of this report demonstrate the policy’s failures in both achieving its own goals as well as international aims to improve global health and women’s rights among others.