(January 27 2017, New York, USA) – Vital Strategies, a global health not-for profit organization, today stands with other global health advocates warning of the harmful consequences of implementing a new “super-sized” Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule. This stipulates that any non-U.S. nongovernmental organization receiving U.S. global health funds cannot inform the public or educate their government on the need to make safe abortion available, provide legal abortion services, or provide advice on abortions or where to obtain an abortion – even if funding for those particular activities does not come from the U.S.
Previous versions of the rule applied only to overseas non-governmental groups receiving U.S. family planning and reproductive health assistance. The new rule has been vastly expanded to apply to all global health assistance furnished by all U.S. departments or agencies. The Rule is likely to have a wide impact on global health and economic development, putting at risk the lives that are saved when comprehensive family planning and women’s health services are available and hindering progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Strategies said:
“This super-sized Global Gag Rule will have ripple effects far beyond the health and well-being of women around the world. It’s not uncommon to see an organization that works on reproductive health, including abortion, also working on communicable disease initiatives. By constraining the normal activities of health experts, the Rule has the potential to suppress efforts to combat communicable diseases like Zika, Ebola or HIV/AIDS. If this administration wants to put “America First,” it needs to understand that no country is a public health island. The extension of the Global Gag may drive future pandemics – from Ebola to multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis – that both threaten Americans and create destabilized societies abroad, threatening American security and the global economy.
“Comprehensive reproductive health services, which include family planning, have a tremendously positive impact not just on the health of women and their children, but also on the social, physical and economic health of communities and countries. When parents plan and space their pregnancies, they are better able to feed, clothe and educate their children – potentially increasing economic activity. Our direct experience in Tanzania shows these benefits. Women who make informed choices about family planning are healthier and better able to care for their families. Men who understand the economic advantages of family planning are more likely to support and use it. Family planning also enables mothers to enter or re-join the workforce, once more increasing economic activity. Considered from every angle, family planning is a positive force for global health and global wealth. As the Global Gag Rule will affect organizations providing comprehensive reproductive health services, there will be an impact on family planning.
“Women’s basic right to self-determination and health, developing health systems in low and middle income countries and the world’s commonly agreed development goals all will be harmed. We urge the administration to take on board the concerns of economists and health and development experts, and rescind the Rule with immediate effect.”
Note to Editors
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies is a global health organization that seeks to accelerate progress on the world’s most pressing health problems. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop and implement sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. To find out more, please visit vstrategystage.wpengine.com or Twitter @VitalStrat.
For further information or to arrange an interview with a Vital Strategies public health and maternal health expert, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org