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Planned Parenthood Condemns Trump’s Reinstatement of the Deadly Global Gag Rule [1]

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Date: 2025-01

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, less than one week into his presidency, Donald Trump and his administration reinstated the deadly global gag rule, an anti-abortion policy that risks the health and lives of women, girls, young people, and LGBTQ+ people in communities around the world, according to news reports. Also known as the Mexico City policy, the global gag rule prevents foreign organizations that receive certain U.S. assistance from providing, counseling, referring, or advocating for legal abortion in their country — even with their own money and resources. The global gag rule blocks health care access, disrupts coalitions and stifles local advocacy efforts, and undermines reproductive rights worldwide. It is also deeply unpopular with the American people.

“This move is dangerous,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “President Trump is kicking off his second term exactly as anticipated: attacking sexual and reproductive health care. The global gag rule not only disrupts the delivery of health services in areas of the world that are most in need, it also rolls back progress in countries that have fought to advance access to health care and human rights. Elected officials should not be interfering in personal medical decisions, in this country or anywhere in the world. We must reverse and end the global gag rule permanently, full stop. Planned Parenthood will do everything we can to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights in the U.S. and around the world.”

Trump’s reported reinstatement of the global gag rule comes following several executive actions by his administration this week to severely curtail LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, reproductive rights, and freedom in the U.S. and abroad. It was also issued at the same time as an executive order (EO) related to the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion coverage in domestic health care programs, particularly Medicaid. The action also rescinds two Biden administration EOs intended to ensure access to reproductive health care in the wake of Dobbs. While this EO has no immediate impact, it is an indication of the Trump administration doubling down on denying abortion access to people with low incomes, who due to systemic racism and oppression disproportionately includes people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people.

During the first Trump administration, the global gag rule targeted international organizations that received U.S. global health assistance — including programs to expand access to contraception, prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, combat malaria, and improve maternal and child health. Around the world, 218 million women in low- and middle-income countries want to delay or prevent pregnancy but face significant barriers to modern contraceptive methods. An estimated 287,000 women die each year from pregnancy-related causes, including unsafe abortion, which continues to be a major, preventable cause of unacceptably high global maternal mortality rates. Global inequities and unmet needs have been further exacerbated by the multiple ongoing global humanitarian crises — and will only be made worse by the devastating global gag rule.

“The Trump administration’s gag rule jeopardizes all of our health and safety,” said Lori Adelman, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Global. “The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced that our health and rights are connected across the globe. With this policy, Trump is sending a message to the world: his administration would rather advance a dangerous political agenda than eradicate disease and preventable death. The ripple effects of this deadly policy go far beyond reproductive health — undermining access to critical health care, silencing trusted providers, and endangering lives around the world. It is also anti-democratic, restricting free speech and undermining the autonomy of communities to make informed decisions about their reproductive rights and health care. Planned Parenthood is deeply committed to supporting groups and the global movement as a whole so that communities can take charge of their own futures in the face of these kinds of political volatilities.” ###

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

Planned Parenthood Global serves as the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). As a leading U.S. advocate for high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care and education, PPFA supports sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) internationally through the work of Planned Parenthood Global.

Since 1972, Planned Parenthood Global has supported locally led efforts and partner organizations around the world to expand access to sexual and reproductive health, including abortion. To date, Planned Parenthood Global has provided financial and programmatic support to over 1,000 partner organizations and SRH movements across 70 countries.

Planned Parenthood Global leverages innovative and well-established partnerships; depth of technical expertise; and flexible funding to INCUBATE, CONVENE, and DEFEND brave individuals, organizations, coalitions, and movements pushing boundaries to advance SRHR around the world. Learn more at plannedparenthood.org/global.

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[1] Url: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-condemns-trumps-reinstatement-of-the-deadly-global-gag-rule

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