A Setback for Reproductive Rights: Global Implications from the US Election Result
6th November 2024
A Dark Day for Reproductive Rights
Today’s US election result is a devastating blow to gender equality and reproductive rights, both in the United States and around the world. As we process this news and comprehend the consequences, we stand in solidarity with all those in the US facing uncertainty and fear about what this might mean for their lives and reproductive freedoms.
We stand with US reproductive justice activists, organisations and service providers who are on the frontline of the fight for reproductive rights. Their work is more important now than ever.
Global Ramifications
With today’s electoral result we will see the return and expansion of restrictive policies including the Mexico City Policy also known as the ‘Global Gag Rule’. It will have a deep and devastating impact on global health.
This policy will restrict funding to organisations delivering critical healthcare, and will undermine health systems across the world. It will limit access to essential services like family planning, HIV prevention, abortion care and maternal healthcare for millions of people. The most marginalized and vulnerable communities will suffer the most. The ‘Global Gag Rule’ will result in increased rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal mortality, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. This setback will undermine years of progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Resisting Rollbacks on Rights
The road ahead will be challenging. Globally, well-funded and well-organized anti-rights and anti-gender movements continue to reverse hard-won gains, as they have done in the US.
However, this pushback reinforces our collective determination to advance the trajectory of abortion rights progress that we are also witnessing around the world.
Together We Are Stronger
SheDecides remains resolute in its mission: working towards a world where every woman, girl, and young person – in all their diversity - can make decisions about their bodies, lives and futures, free from violence, stigma, and fear.
We all have our part to play in this mission. Now more than ever, it is time for global leaders to move forward on gender equality, and not backwards. United, we will continue to stand up and speak out for the right to safe abortion, as a fundamental human right, for all people, everywhere.
In solidarity,
Karin Nilsson, Executive Director, SheDecides
Memory Zonde-Kachambwa, SheDecides Co-Chair
Sonali Silva, SheDecides Co-Chair