Ms. Magazine: Trump’s Gag Rules Hurt the Most Vulnerable Women
Elena Sarver, legal adviser at the Global Justice Center

“The Global and Domestic Gag Rules [– otherwise known as the Mexico City policy and new regulations for the federal Title X family planning program, respectively –] are just two of the repressive policies that the Trump administration has put in place to deny abortions to women. … While these policies impact different sources of funding, they have several key similarities. For one, they violate international law, including the right to free speech. Women should be able to exercise their fundamental right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives, informed by the comprehensive care and guidance offered by their medical care providers. These restrictions also interfere with the relationship between provider and patient, as doctors are unable to fully inform patients of their options for care. … Additionally, these policies are so highly complicated and technical, they often silence — or gag — people from engaging in permitted abortion-related speech, whether it be information, referral, or advocacy. … Finally, these policies attack the populations that are the most vulnerable. … In this fight, women everywhere lose. But those unable to access the health care they need — including safe abortion services — are paying the highest price” (7/18).