Planned Parenthood Condemns Unprecedented Move by President Trump that Jeopardizes Vulnerable Women, Children and Communities Worldwide

Washington, DC – Yesterday, President Donald Trump reinstated an expanded version of the harmful global gag rule which, for the first time ever, targets international organizations who work on any U.S. funded global health program, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, and Zika programs. From now on, these groups will be banned from all global health funding from the U.S. government if they also happen to provide counseling, referrals, or services for safe and legal abortion – even with their own funding. Previously, when in effect, this policy only applied to U.S. international family planning assistance. 

Statement from Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Global:

“This is an unprecedented move, and the most extreme executive action we’ve seen of its kind. The global gag rule as it existed under previous anti-women's health presidents was deeply harmful.  But this action will be catastrophic for all communities, especially those relying on U.S. funding to address HIV/AIDS and maternal health care, and the fight against Zika.  We know the good that can come from investing in family planning – maternal mortality rates have declined over the last decade, and family planning, which prevents unsafe abortion, was a key factor in this. This expanded version of the global gag rule threatens to undermine and even reverse that progress. It is astounding that following a weekend during which one out of every 10 Americans marched in a historic showing for women’s rights, the Trump-Pence administration would instead use their first week in office to attack the most vulnerable women in the world.”

Meanwhile, support for access to safe, legal abortion is at a record high in the United States – with 69% of Americans not wanting to see Roe v. Wade overturned.

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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 over 650 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.