US Foreign Aid Bill to Expand Trump's Anti-Abortion Agenda, Critics Say it Will Have Devastating Consequences Globally.
The Biden administration's decision not to extend the current global gag rule is set to be reversed under the new policy. The US foreign aid bill includes a provision that extends this ban on organizations which promote 'abortion as a method of family planning' and also now applies to international and domestic organizations that advocate for "gender ideology" and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
According to experts, this is a massive escalation that could impact nearly $50 billion of foreign assistance. It will apply to other governments, multilateral institutions, and US-based organizations as well. This policy has already had devastating impacts on reproductive rights globally, with the first Trump administration's global gag rule expansions leading to decreased access to abortion and contraceptive care.
Critics argue that this new policy is about control and using foreign aid to impose a cruel anti-human rights ideology on the world. Amnesty International describes it as an "assault on human rights", adding that targeting organizations which support DEI initiatives and recognize gender diversity will deepen inequality and put the lives of millions at risk.
The policy has been met with fierce opposition from international groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund. The organization's president and CEO said in a statement that not only is this bill expanding the Trump administration's deadly anti-abortion playbook but also weaponizing foreign aid to threaten the health and lives of countless women, girls, young people and LGBTQI+ individuals globally.
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 50 million women and girls have already been denied contraceptive care globally due to earlier administration actions. The defunding of USAID is estimated to lead to an additional 14 million deaths worldwide by 2030.
The Biden administration's decision not to extend the current global gag rule is set to be reversed under the new policy. The US foreign aid bill includes a provision that extends this ban on organizations which promote 'abortion as a method of family planning' and also now applies to international and domestic organizations that advocate for "gender ideology" and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
According to experts, this is a massive escalation that could impact nearly $50 billion of foreign assistance. It will apply to other governments, multilateral institutions, and US-based organizations as well. This policy has already had devastating impacts on reproductive rights globally, with the first Trump administration's global gag rule expansions leading to decreased access to abortion and contraceptive care.
Critics argue that this new policy is about control and using foreign aid to impose a cruel anti-human rights ideology on the world. Amnesty International describes it as an "assault on human rights", adding that targeting organizations which support DEI initiatives and recognize gender diversity will deepen inequality and put the lives of millions at risk.
The policy has been met with fierce opposition from international groups, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund. The organization's president and CEO said in a statement that not only is this bill expanding the Trump administration's deadly anti-abortion playbook but also weaponizing foreign aid to threaten the health and lives of countless women, girls, young people and LGBTQI+ individuals globally.
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 50 million women and girls have already been denied contraceptive care globally due to earlier administration actions. The defunding of USAID is estimated to lead to an additional 14 million deaths worldwide by 2030.