Abortion rights hang in the balance as Trump is yet to declare stance on ‘Global Gag’ policy
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The ‘Global Gag Rule’ has been reinstated by every single Republican president and rescinded by every Democratic president since Ronald Reagan first implemented the policy in 1984. As he signed over 100 executive orders in a move that broke away from his predecessors, reproductive rights activists waited anxiously for Trump’s next move would be regarding abortion rights and sexual health information.
![[A reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule could lead to the increase of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable deaths, say reproductive rights organizations]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/14/12/GettyImages-1241517892.jpg)
What is the Mexico City Policy aka the ‘Global Gag Rule’?. One significant policy that human rights organizations are dreading the reinstatement of, is the Mexico City Policy, also known as the “Global Gag Rule.”. Setting this policy in place meant that education and safe practices in foreign countries, as well as abortion services through U.S. aid, became prohibited.
Since Reagan, every Republican president has reinstated the policy including Trump in 2017 when he renamed it “Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance.” Joe Biden, like Democratic leaders before him, removed it after he came into power in 2020.
Dr Alvaro Bermejo, the Director General for the International Planned Parenthood Federation told The Independent Monday: “Donald Trump’s return to power represents a direct assault on those seeking lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care. “Trump’s proposed executive actions are deadly; and designed to strip away bodily autonomy for LGBTQ people, women, and girls.
