Trump Administration’s Reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule Is a Setback for Health, Gender Equality and Human Rights

On January 24, the Trump administration reinstated the Global Gag Rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy), a harmful and regressive policy that restricts U.S. foreign assistance to organizations providing, counseling, or advocating for legal abortion services—regardless of local laws or non-U.S. funding sources. This action represents a significant setback for global health, gender equality and human rights, particularly for vulnerable communities who already face systemic barriers to accessing critical health care.

Further, the State Department announced its immediate intention to rejoin the so-called “Geneva Consensus Declaration,” which claims that there is no international right to abortion. Originally championed by the previous Trump Administration, it intentionally misrepresents itself as an official international agreement and attempts to undermine the broad legal basis for reproductive rights as human rights.

After the initial introduction of the Global Gag Rule by the Reagan administration in 1984, Democratic administrations have reversed the rule and Republican administrations have reimposed it.

While in force, the rule has:

• Disrupted vital health services by cutting off funding for organizations that provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care—including contraception, maternal care, menstrual hygiene programs, HIV prevention and treatment, as well as treatment for tuberculosis, malaria, Zika, Ebola and other infectious diseases.
• Led to the closure of clinics, the dismantling of outreach programs, and the elimination of services critical to the health and well-being of underserved populations.
• Caused a chilling effect, discouraging organizations from providing accurate medical information or advocating for the liberalization of restrictive abortion laws. Even after other administrations lifted the policy, the fear of future reinstatement and the disruption of services have created lasting uncertainty and delay in resuming vital health programs.

By denying individuals access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and accurate information, the Global Gag Rule violates international human rights standards. It disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly those from marginalized communities, and exacerbates gender-based discrimination by restricting their autonomy over reproductive decisions.

“The reinstatement and expansion of President Trump’s Global Gag Rule is a direct assault on the health and human rights of millions of people around the world,” said Rachana Desai Martin, Chief Government & External Relations Officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “We saw the devastating impact of this policy during the last Trump administration when contraception and vital reproductive services were cut off. There was a spike in pregnancy-related deaths, reproductive coercion, and gender inequality worldwide. Many clinics and health programs shuttered, leaving vulnerable populations with nowhere to get birth control, pregnancy care and other vital health services. The Center for Reproductive Rights will continue to fight back against this discriminatory policy and the harms it causes families and communities around the world.”

Does your organization have legal compliance questions about the Global Gag Rule?

The Center has created a Global Gag Rule Pro Bono Clearinghouse, comprised of global law firms with expertise to provide pro bono counsel to NGOs affected by the Global Gag Rule. If your organization needs legal assistance in navigating the newly reinstated policy, please let us know.