Expansion of global gag rule - ActionAid response

16 May 2017

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ActionAid’s Women’s Rights Campaigns Manager Sarah Carson, commenting on the widening of the global gag rule to restrict women’s access to sexual health information, contraception and safe abortions, said:

 

“President Trump’s expansion of the global gag rule will have a chilling effect on women’s access to contraception and safe abortions in the world’s poorest countries. Some of the poorest, most marginalised women in the world will have their rights restricted or taken away entirely, with grave consequences for their health.

“Such severe funding cuts could have a damaging effect on a broad range of health programs that provide lifesaving treatment and prevention options to women in need. This is part of a global trend that is seeing the rights of women and girls eroded.

“Now more than ever we must work together to defend the right of women and girls. ActionAid firmly believes that women should have access to their full range of sexual and reproductive rights, and this includes access to information and safe abortions.”

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