Global Gag Rule Threatens Frail Health Systems Like Uganda’s

President – forget it, it’s Emperor Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy or the ‘global gag rule’, prohibiting organisations that receive US funding from either performing or providing counseling or information on abortion.

WHO reports unsafe abortion account for 13% of maternal deaths. In Uganda, according to a Guttmacher Institute 2013 report, over 300,000 induced abortions occur annually yet the country’s abortion law remains unclear. Nearly 125,000 women seek treatment for complications from unsafe abortions annually. In 2010 the provision of post-abortion care cost Uganda an estimated $13.9 million per year. On average, the provision of post-abortion care costs $131 per patient.

For countries like Uganda that rely heavily on US support and international organisations to fill in the wide gaps in the health care, this law threatens not just women’s lives but many communities. The policy also applies to US-funded global health programs, including HIV and maternal and child health programs.

Abortion in Uganda is legal in cases of life endangerment. In 2011, more than four in 10 births were unplanned – either mistimed or unwanted. Improving and expanding family planning services is key to reducing unintended pregnancy, and with fewer funds this won’t be possible.

This policy also emboldens anti-safe abortion voices, increases stigma around abortion and will violate the right to information if this funding gap isn’t quickly filled and right-wing rhetoric isn’t nipped. 

The article draws attention to the response by governments in Europe, Denmark and the Netherlands, in particular. It is important the reflection on the impact on the global gag rule goes beyond the 'funders', but also we should see response by governments in countries that will be affected most.