<
https://theconversation.com/how-us-policy-on-abortion-affects-women-in-africa-182525>
"Policies and decisions made in the United States echo around the world and
often have widespread implications. Take sexual and reproductive health, for
example. Decisions made in the US have caused, and could cause, severe damage
to progress in access to these services in developing countries.
The first US policy with implications for healthcare in other countries is the
global gag rule, first enacted by Ronald Reagan in 1984. Under this policy,
non-US organisations that receive US government funding cannot provide, refer
for, or promote abortion as a method of family planning. Successive US
presidents have decided whether to enact or revoke the policy. President Joe
Biden set it aside when he took office in 2021.
The second is the decision before the US Supreme Court on the right of women to
choose abortion. Recently leaked documents suggest the court may overturn the
landmark 1973 decision,
Roe v Wade, that gave American women this choice. The
final decision is expected in a couple of months.
For countries that look to the US for guidance and for funding, the
consequences will go beyond abortion. The striking down of
Roe v Wade,
coupled with the global gag rule (if and when it is reinstated by a Republican
administration), empowers national and international opposition to sexual and
reproductive health services such as family planning, abortion, and
comprehensive sexuality education.
In African countries, where incremental gains are beginning to manifest in
improved legislation and policies due to decades of advocacy and lobbying, this
would be a devastating blow. For example, in 2020 we studied the impact of the
global gag rule in Kenya. Our findings pointed to government officials using
the US government position to restrict conversations around abortion in
official meetings.
What happens in the US may effectively deny women their rights and set back the
sustainable development agenda target of reducing maternal, neonatal, and child
morbidity and mortality."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
