As one of his first actions in office, Donald Trump reinstated and expanded the “global gag rule”.
The global gag rule prevents international organisations from receiving U.S. federal funding if they provide or advocate for abortion services – even when such efforts are funded by the organisation’s own money. [1]
The policy was originally enacted by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1984, and has since been rescinded by successive Democratic Presidents and reinstated by successive Republican Presidents.
Previous versions of the global gag rule applied only to US government foreign aid directed towards family planning services (about US$575 million). But Trump’s order goes further and applies to any international organisation that receives US government foreign aid (US$9.5 billion), not just those involved in family planning but also those working on maternal and child health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, and tropical diseases. [2]
Despite countries around the world pledging funds to counteract the effect of the gag rule, Australia has pledged no extra funds.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Share our infographics to spread the message!
Donate to ‘She Decides’: https://www.shedecides.com/
‘She Decides’, a fund launched by Dutch Minister Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen, is a global fundraising initiative to aid organisations harmed by the global gag rule. It encourages governments, private individuals, and corporations to donate as a way to counter the shortfall in funds. [3]
Contact the following people to demand the Australian government contribute funds to save women’s lives around the world:
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm
The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dr. Sharman Stone, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls
Mail: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
255 London Circuit
Canberra City, ACT 2601
Email: ambwomengirls@dfat.gov.au
Office for Women
Mail: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6271 5111
Email: OfficeforWomen@pmc.gov.au