US senator tries for permanent repeal of the Global Gag Rule
Emine Dilek
WVoN co-editor
US Senator Barbara Boxer has reintroduced the Global Democracy Promotion Act, and aims to permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule.
The Global Gag Rule, also known the Mexico City Gag Rule, is United States government policy. It requires all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which receive US federal funding to refrain from performing or promoting abortion services as a method of family planning, in other countries.
Senator Boxer along with Frank Lautenberg and 15 other colleagues reintroduced the call to repeal this ‘gag’ on September 20.
Abolishing the Global Gag Rule would ensure that foreign NGOs which use their own funds to provide comprehensive reproductive health information and services that are legal in the countries in which they operate – and legal in the United States – remain eligible to receive US assistance.
The Global Democracy Promotion Act would amend the Foreign Assistance Act to make this change permanent, ensuring that the Gag Rule cannot be imposed by any future executive order.
