Research Publications Reproductive Health

Impact of Trump Administration’s Global Gag Rule in Ethiopia

The Trump administration’s “global gag rule,” though now defunct, is likely to have lasting effects on sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia.

Published: 2024

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The Trump administration’s “global gag rule,” though now defunct, is likely to have lasting effects on sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia. From May 2017 to January 2021, the policy prohibited US global health funding for non-US NGOs that provide abortion services; offer abortion information, counseling or referrals; or advocate abortion liberalization. In May 2019, the administration expanded the policy to restrict funding to only those NGOs whose subgrantees also complied with the terms of the policy (whether or not the subgrantees received US funding). Though the policy allowed US support for NGOs using non-US funds to provide abortion in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the pregnant woman’s life, lack of clarity on this point likely led to restrictions on even these services. Versions of the global gag rule have been repeatedly instated by US presidents from the Republican party and rescinded by Democratic presidents since 1984.