By: Jordyn Bradley, W*SS Social Media Intern
When people hear “abortion ban,” it’s often seen as an U.S. issue, surrounded by images of protests at the capitol, pink Planned Parenthood signs, social media discourse, and even people holding disturbing signs at intersections showing graphic images of fetuses. However we view it, the impact of the abortion ban extends far beyond the U.S borders, reaching impoverished regions where reproductive healthcare is meager. The “global gag rule”, first implemented by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and reinstated by several Republican administrations, most recently by Donald Trump, cuts U.S. funding to foreign organizations that even utter the word abortion. This debilitating policy affects healthcare providers in countries reliant on our aid, like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Nepal, limiting not just abortion services but all reproductive healthcare and sex education.
The consequences of these policies are horrors beyond imaginable. I came across a PBS video (here) featuring Anne, a sexual violence survivor from Kenya. She shared her heartbreaking experience, explaining how men often refuse to use protection, saying, “I don’t eat a sweet while it’s still wrapped.” With no access to reproductive care, Anne was forced to self-induce an abortion using knitting needles—a tragic reality faced by countless women in countries with strict abortion restrictions and inadequate healthcare funding. For every story like Anne's, there are thousands of others we never hear about—women risking their lives in silence due to societal stigma, limited healthcare, and the ongoing influence of U.S. policies on global health aid. This dismissive attitude toward contraception places the burden of pregnancy risk squarely on women, while restrictive abortion policies make it nearly impossible for them to seek safe options. For women like Anne, lacking resources and legal protections, each day is a battle for basic bodily autonomy.
While we’re rightly discussing “women” and “women’s rights,” it’s imperative to remember those who fall outside this category but still face these risks. Transgender people, nonbinary people, and other individuals who don’t necessarily identify as women also need access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. These policies impact a diverse group of people fighting for the right to choose what happens to their own bodies. And we must also remember the girls—children whose childhoods are uprooted and stolen by sexual violence. These children will never have the chance to dream of fairy tales; their reality is one of survival.
While we are discussing “women” and “women’s rights” (rightfully so) but imperative that we remember the girls—children whose childhoods are uprooted and stolen by sexual violence. These children will never have the chance to dream of fairy tales; their reality is one of survival. The “global gag rule” doesn’t just limit access to abortions; it cuts off funding for clinics that offer a range of services, from contraception to prenatal care, leaving women with few safe options. In Uganda, where abortion is largely restricted, many young girls resort to unsafe procedures, often resulting in severe injury or even death. Nepal, once a success story for reducing maternal mortality, has seen these gains threatened as critical resources have disappeared under the gag rule. For these women and girls, the reality is that restrictive U.S. policies directly impact their ability to access safe, legal healthcare.
As the U.S. continues to wield influence in global health policy, the repercussions of policies like the global gag rule create a shadow of suffering and limited autonomy for women worldwide. For the many women and girls we often forget about outside of our bubble in the U.S., this isn’t just a political debate; it’s a fight for survival and dignity—one that many face alone, their stories often unheard by the world.
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