Once Donald Trump returns to the White House, his policies could have big effects on women’s health and reproductive rights, not just in the U.S., but around the world.
What Is the Global Gag Rule?
The global gag rule stops U.S. funding for organizations that provide, support, or even discuss abortion services—even if they use their own money for those services. This policy started under President Reagan in 1984 and has been turned on and off by Republican and Democratic presidents over the years.
During Trump’s first term, the gag rule expanded to cover more health programs, like those for HIV/AIDS and maternal care. This meant many clinics in countries that rely on U.S. aid lost their funding and had to close or stop offering important services.
The Impact on Women’s Health
When the gag rule was enforced under Trump:
- Clinics closed: In countries like Kenya and Uganda, clinics offering family planning and pregnancy care shut down.
- Less access to contraceptives: Women struggled to get birth control, leading to more unplanned pregnancies.
- Unsafe abortions increased: Without safe options, abortion rates rose by as much as 40% in some areas. This led to more deaths, since unsafe abortions are far more dangerous than safe ones.
Broader Health Problems
The gag rule also hurt other healthcare services:
- HIV prevention: A study found that the gag rule led to 90,000 more HIV infections per year in countries that depended on U.S. funding.
- Maternal and child health: Clinics had to cut services for pregnant women and babies, leading to higher death rates.
An Example from Nepal
In Nepal, where abortion is legal, the gag rule still caused problems. U.S. aid is crucial to Nepal’s health programs, but during Trump’s presidency, access to contraceptives and abortion-related healthcare became harder to find. Officials avoided working with abortion providers to protect their funding, even though it hurt public health.
Why the Policy Backfires
Ironically, the gag rule often leads to the opposite of its intended effects:
- More unsafe abortions: By cutting access to safe abortion care, the rule pushes women toward dangerous options.
- Weaker health systems: The rule disrupts programs that combine family planning with other essential services like cancer screenings.
What Happens Next?
If Trump reintroduces the gag rule, it could erase years of progress in global health and women’s rights. Other countries, especially in Europe, would need to step in and provide more funding to fill the gap left by the U.S.
Experts say long-term commitments from donors are necessary to protect women’s health and prevent unsafe abortions.
Why It Matters
The global gag rule isn’t just a political issue—it’s a life-or-death matter for millions of women. Without action, the world risks losing access to life-saving healthcare, leaving many women without the care and safety they need.