US President Donald Trump's decision to reinstate 'Global Gag rule' which denies US funds to agencies involved in abortion services will have "grave implications" on women's health in India, a Non Governmental Organisation said today.
More than 5 million women in India will have unsafe abortion this year because they will lack access to safe and high-quality abortion care, Ipas Development Foundation (IDF) said while asserting that the move would force organisations to choose between receiving US assistance and providing comprehensive and life-saving care.
According to media reports, Trump had on Monday signed an executive order banning international NGOs from providing abortion services or offering information about abortions if they receive US funding.
Lack of access to contraception and safe abortion is a major public health crisis for women in poor countries. But rather than addressing this crisis, the Global Gag Rule broadens restrictions already imposed by the Helms Amendment, which prohibits the use of US funds for abortion-related work overseas, the IDF said.
"I believe this political move will endanger the lives and health of the poorest and most vulnerable women in our country by denying them access and putting them at the risk of unsafe abortion," said Vinoj Manning, Executive Director, IDF.
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