Produced by Women Deliver
January 23, 2017
Access to modern contraception and reproductive health constitutes the bedrock of gender equality, women's empowerment, economic development, and progress for all. Without this care, women can't reach their full potential.
It is very discouraging to see the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule, which bars U.S. funding for organizations and family planning providers if they perform, council on, or even mention abortion.
"This policy not only endangers the survival, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women by increasing unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions," said Katja Iversen, President/CEO of Women Deliver. "It will also stop progress for girls and women in its tracks."
We know the transformative power of investing in modern contraception and women's health, rights, and bodily autonomy. By meeting the need for modern contraception, unintended pregnancy would decline by 70 percent and unsafe abortions would decline by 74 percent. Not only that, but research shows that every dollar spent on modern contraception could yield $120 in return. The evidence is clear: investing in contraception and gender equality isn’t just life-saving and empowering for girls and women; it’s good for the economy and for everybody.
Women Deliver is proud to join 130+ other partners in reaffirming our commitment to girls and women by calling on all governments and institutions across the globe to increase political support and funding for contraceptive and reproductive health services and supplies. It is more critical than ever to promote positive solutions for girls and women.
The Global Gag Rule will undermine gender equality and reverse years of development progress. We cannot afford to backtrack when the lives of girls and women hang in the balance.
Learn More:
- Global Gag Rule Policy Brief (source: CHANGE)
- Meet the Demand for Modern Contraception and Reproductive Health Infographic (source: Deliver for Good)
- Meet the Demand for Modern Contraception and Reproductive Health Policy Brief (source: Deliver for Good)
- Access to Safe Abortion Infographic (source: Women Deliver)
Please join us in speaking truth to power by making a gift now to support Women Deliver's critical advocacy work around the globe.
About Women Deliver
Women Deliver believes that when the world invests in girls and women, everybody wins. As a leading global advocate for girls’ and women’s health, rights, and wellbeing, Women Deliver brings together diverse voices and interests to drive progress, particularly in maternal, sexual and reproductive health and rights. It builds capacity, shares solutions and forges partnerships, together creating coalitions, communication, and action that spark political commitment and investment in girls and women.
