Devex: ‘Global gag rule’ prompts uncertainty in Uganda, Nigeria, PAI finds
“It could take several years before United States aid recipient countries such as Uganda and Nigeria feel the full impact of the expanded Mexico City policy. But new analysis shows there are already clear signs now that the policy is pushing these countries to limit their expansion of key health services, including for women’s health care. This is according to research conducted by the global health organization PAI, following country visits in November 2017 to Uganda and Nigeria. The findings from these trips were released last week. … The Trump administration’s cuts to global health assistance have also extended beyond the ‘global gag rule,’ as it also announced on Monday it would not fund the U.N. Population Fund for a second year running. … ‘This unfortunate decision will impede UNFPA’s crucial work to protect the health and lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls around the globe, including in humanitarian settings,’ UNFPA said in a statement. ‘Therefore, UNFPA hopes that the United States will reconsider its position’…” (Lieberman, 3/13).