The UK government is to contribute £3m ($5.3m; €4.4m) over the next two years to the global safe abortion programme.
The programme, developed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, aims to help meet an internationally agreed target to reduce mortality among mothers in many of the world’s poorest countries. It will help member associations do more to stop unsafe abortions as well as help halt the decline in family planning and reproductive services in some countries, such as Peru.
The UK government’s contribution flies in the face of restrictions introduced by the US government on funding of such organisations. The US’s “global gag rule” prevents federal funding of any organisation that is involved in work promoting or discussing safe abortion services, even when that work is funded from non–US sources. The rule even applies to organisations working in countries where abortions are legally available. Organisations that refuse to sign the gagging clause are automatically disqualified from receiving US funding.
Announcing the funding decision, the UK’s international development minister, Gareth Thomas, said: “We know from experience that the absence of sexual and reproductive health services results in an increase in unintended pregnancies and, inevitably, a greater number of unsafe abortions.
“I would urge other donors to follow our lead and make a contribution to this life saving initiative that could improve the lives of thousands of poor women in the developing world.”
The global gag rule was first introduced in 1984 by President Reagan but was revoked by President Clinton. In 2001 President Bush reinstated it. The rule prevents organisations from using their own money to provide information on abortion, advice, or services or from even discussing abortion or criticising unsafe abortion, says the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
The UK’s decision coincided with the federation’s publication of a report on abortion and poverty. The report says that unsafe abortion is one of the most neglected public health and human rights issues facing women in the developing world. This year 19 million women will face serous injury, illness, or death as a result of abortions carried out by unskilled people in unsanitary conditions, it says.
“The Gag Rule severely restricts freedom of speech, it interferes with the doctor–client relationship, and hinders balanced consideration of liberalising abortion laws based on public health concerns and human rights,” says the report.
“By dramatically impairing the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services, its actual impact has been to increase the number of unintended pregnancies and the abortions that inevitably follow.”
In Kenya, for example, where legal abortion is allowed only to save the life of the mother, the Family Planning Association of Kenya chose not to accept US funding because it did not want to be gagged. As a result three clinics have closed, and services at other clinics have had to be scaled back.
A draft motion to liberalise abortion law in Kenya is due to be tabled in the country’s parliament soon—something that, says the federation, could not have happened if the Family Planning Association and others had signed the gagging clause.
“Maternal deaths represent one of the starkest indicators of inequality within, and between, rich and poor nations,” said Mr Thomas. “Much more must be done to ensure that those most vulnerable have access to the care and services that they need.”
Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty is available at www.ippf.org.