GDPA Reintroduced

On the Heels of International Women's Day, the Global Democracy Promotion Act was Reintroduced, Which Would Permanently Repeal the Global Gag Rule.

In a New Video, the Leading Health Care Provider and Advocate also Joins Global Champions in Celebrating Women’s Rights Milestones of the Past Twenty Years

[March 9, 2015] — Urging Congress to permanently repeal the global “gag rule” that blocks women from even getting information about abortion, Planned Parenthood today applauded the bipartisan reintroduction of the Global Democracy Promotion Act (GDPA) by women’s health champion Senator Barbara Boxer on the heels of International Women’s Day Sunday March 8. The bill was cosponsored by Senators Blumenthal, Cardin, Collins, Coons, Durbin, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Markey, Murphy, Murray, Sanders, Schatz, Shaheen, Warren, Whitehouse, and Wyden. 

The GDPA would benefit women and families around the world by preventing politics from interfering with women’s health. The proposed law would block a future president from reinstating the harmful global gag rule, which prohibits foreign organizations receiving U.S. international family planning funds from providing information, referrals, or services for legal abortion or for advocating for the legalization of abortion in their own country — even if these activities are supported with their own, non-U.S. funding. When in place, the gag rule interferes with the doctor-patient relationship, limits free speech, and impedes women’s access to health services. The global gag rule is not currently in effect, but every year congressional opponents of women’s health make numerous attempts to reinstate it.

“This International Women’s Day, we are grateful for tireless and dedicated champions like Senator Boxer, who defends women’s health and rights both here at home and abroad,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Our opponents have been playing politics with women’s health and lives for too long. It’s time to ensure we can build on the progress we’ve made, not undermine it.”

Also in recognition of International Women’s Day, Planned Parenthood issued a graphic and video highlighting women’s rights milestones from the last 20 years. The 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing marked a significant turning point for gender equality, as 189 governments signed a progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights. Planned Parenthood’s video features global champions like Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women; Liz Plank, senior editor at Mic; Dr. Jamila Perritt, a leading women’s health care provider; and Latanya Mapp Frett, executive director of Planned Parenthood Global, speaking to progress they’ve seen — and the unfinished business that remains — since that landmark conference.

“Planned Parenthood is proud to celebrate the incredible progress in women’s health and rights in the past 20 years, and to double down on our promise to fight for a better future,” said Latanya Mapp Frett, executive director of Planned Parenthood Global. “From Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai to Planned Parenthood Global Youth Peer Providers supporting community health in their own communities: Thank you for changing the world! You inspire us.” 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.