Background on the Policy

The Global Gag Rule & HIV/AIDS

The same family planning providers who lose funding due to the gag rule are those on the front line in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Read the FactSheet (.pdf)

The Global Gag Rule & Maternal Deaths
from Unsafe Abortion

There are 19 million unsafe abortions each year. By denying critical family planning assistance, the Global Gag Rule hinders actions to end the tragedy of maternal deaths and injuries due to unsafe abortions.
Read the FactSheet (.pdf)

The Global Gag Rule & Contraceptive Supplies

Organizations that do not sign the Global Gag Rule lose access to U.S.-donated contraceptives, including condoms.
Read the FactSheet (.pdf)

Further Information Resources

Interactive Resource: The Global Gag Rule History
and Resource Library (includes relevant documents
from 1973 to present)

FactSheet: How the Global Gag Rule Undermines
U.S. Foreign Policy and Harms Women's Health

Publication: What You Need to Know About
the Global Gag Rule and U.S. HIV/AIDS Assistance:
An Unofficial Guide (.pdf)

Publication: The Global Gag Rule and Emergency
Contraception: An Unofficial Guide (.pdf)

Publication: What You Need to Know About the Global
Gag Rule: An Unofficial Guide

News Release: Impact of Global Gag Rule Insufficiently Documented In the Past (10/18/2001) (includes link to Science article, "The Mexico City Policy and U.S. Family Planning Assistance" by Rich Cincotta and Barbara Crane.

The Global Gag Rule violates two central tenets of U.S. foreign assistance: to administer taxpayer funds efficiently and with maximum benefits to the recipients of U.S. aid, and to promote and support American democratic values abroad.