Global Gag Rule

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The extended Global Gag Rule set in January 2017 by President Trump imposes censorship on all non-US NGOs receiving US aid for global health assistance (up to $10 billion) in contrast to the previous Global Gag Rules covering only US foreign assistance to family planning ($600 million). The aim of this panel discussion is to identify the ways in which the EU can ensure the effective implementation of its international aid programs in view of the restrictions imposed by partner donors. EU’s role in defending the rights of women through its international aid becomes crucially important at this moment.

Global Gag Rule

The NGOs that receive funding from the US are required to certify that they do not perform or “actively promote” abortion even with their private funds from other donors and, that they would pass this “gag” along to all their partners or sub-grantees. The Trump Global Gag rule will censor many groups funded by the EU or in partnership with the EU.

This censorship could include medical care for war victims, teaching preventative health measures, family planning, mosquito nets, vaccinations for children, safe childbirth services, malaria, services and research addressing victims of infectious diseases like the Zika or Ebola virus, addressing health epidemics such as in Haiti, medical research and scientific studies.