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Let's repeal the global gag rule -- again
By Ladywriter, January 15, 2009 in Take Action
I clearly remember that cold day in January 2001, when George W.
Bush reinstated the global gag rule. And, just as clearly, I
remember looking forward to the day we would overturn it. Again.
Well, Michelle, that day is coming. Finally! This is one
petition you'll want your name on just so that you can celebrate
when -- mind you, I'm saying "when" not "if" -- President Obama
rescinds the rule.
http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/globalgag_ppol/iwsw56k4okx66jn?source=globalgag_e1_ppol
The global gag rule has had an enormous negative impact on women
around the world since President Reagan first put it into
effect. Hundreds of thousands of people like you and me
protested the rule, which mandated that no U.S. family planning
assistance funding can be given to organizations that provide
abortion services, offer counseling and referral for abortion
care, or advocate legal abortion access in their own countries
-- even if they do so with their own funds.
When President Clinton came into office, he quickly overturned
the rule. And then came President Bush, who made it a priority
to put it right back into effect.
The results have been devastating. Because of the global gag
rule, international reproductive health care organizations have
faced a dangerous dilemma: either accept desperately needed U.S.
funds but deny women life-saving services and information, or
reject U.S. assistance and be forced to cut crucial prevention
services. The Planned Parenthood international program made the
difficult decision to continue to provide the full gamut of
health care services without limitation, thus being ineligible
for U.S. assistance, and we worked hard to find other private
funding sources. But many other programs simply couldn't afford
to do so.
Can you imagine how many women have borne the brunt of this
cruel see-saw? The number is simply incomprehensible -- 200
million women. That's the approximate number of women in
developing countries who wish to delay or end childbearing but
lack access to modern contraceptives. When I add my name to our
petition to President Obama, it will be for them. I want women
all over the world to know that they matter. Please, join me --
and I'll let you know as soon as we get the word there's a
reason to celebrate.
While repealing the global gag rule is a critical step in
recognizing that women's health must be a priority, it's just a
first step. The fight for access to health care and rights is an
uphill one, and there is serious work to be done to rectify
nearly a decade of bad policies not just in the U.S. but around
the world. In the short term, restoring funding for UNFPA;
removing abstinence-only requirements in AIDS funding; and
increasing foreign assistance for reproductive health, including
$1 billion for family planning, will move us in the right
President Obama and the new Congress have their work cut out for
them as they take office. The multitude of problems facing the
country is challenging indeed. The global gag rule? This one's
easy. Let's make sure it happens. Sign the petition.
Thank you, as always, and keep an eye out for upcoming actions
you can take to help us win these battles for women around the
Cecile Richards, President
*signs*