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Only two days after his inauguration in 2001, President Bush signed an executive order to reinstate the Mexico City Policy, also known as the "Global Gag Rule." This policy prohibits foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who accept U.S. funding from using their own funds, or other non-U.S. funds, to provide, refer, promote or even offer legal abortion as an option for women. If foreign countries want U.S. development assistance funding, they cannot use any other portion of their organizational revenue, no matter what the source, for abortion referrals or procedures. This policy straps NGOs and clinics with a cruel predicament: continue to receive U.S. funds and not provide full reproductive health care services to women, or refuse the assistance and face clinic closures or reduced services, since U.S. support is often a significant portion of the total funding. In essence, this policy acts as a "gag" because the U.S. dictates how the NGOs must use their own independently raised or donated money. Despite Congress’s best efforts to overturn this policy, it remains intact. Sierra Club supports voluntary, unrestricted family planning programs that empower men and women to make choices about their families and that take steps in the direction of global environmental sustainability. The Sierra Club does NOT support the anti-democratic, anti-family planning policy of the Global Gag Rule. Sierra Club Applauds President Barack Obama's Decision to Repeal the Global Gag RuleOn January 23, 2009, President Barack Obama took a major step forward in ensuring the health and well-being of women, families and the environment by repealing the Global Gag Rule. The President also announced his intention to release Congressionally-approved funding to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, as soon as it is made available. U.S. support of UNFPA, the largest multilateral source of international family planning assistance, has been withheld for the past seven years. During that time, the Fund has not received a total of $244 million in U.S. funding. One of the most effective ways to address population growth and work to achieve larger global sustainable development goals is to increase access to voluntary family planning programs and services – at home and abroad. When women and men can choose the size and spacing of their families, they tend to have smaller, healthier families. This has a ripple effect that benefits communities socially, economically, and environmentally. Sierra Club applauds President Obama for taking a strong stand on behalf of voluntary family planning programs around the world. This recent action is critical to restoring America’s image as a leader on global health issues. Statement of President Barack Obama on Rescinding the Mexico City Policy"It is clear that the provisions of the Mexico City Policy are unnecessarily broad and unwarranted under current law, and for the past eight years, they have undermined efforts to promote safe and effective voluntary family planning in developing countries. For these reasons, it is right for us to rescind this policy and restore critical efforts to protect and empower women and promote global economic development. "For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us. I have no desire to continue this stale and fruitless debate. "It is time that we end the politicization of this issue. In the coming weeks, my Administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world. "I have directed my staff to reach out to those on all sides of this issue to achieve the goal of reducing unintended pregnancies. They will also work to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls. "In addition, I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the U.N. Population Fund. By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries," said President Obama. Photo courtesy Lutheran World Relief; used with permission. Up to TopHOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
The ability of families to determine the path of their life has implications for their future and for the future of the planet. The global gag rule seeks to limit that self-determination.