Priority Recommendations to the Biden Administration in its First 100 Days: Update 2
President Joe Biden today signed an executive order that rescinds the Mexico City Policy, also known as “The Global Gag Rule.” The Global Gag Rule was first implemented in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and has been enacted by every Republican administration since.
The Global Gag Rule prohibits US foreign aid to any organization that provides abortion services, refers patients to services, or even discusses abortion. The Trump administration expanded the policy to apply it to all global health funding, including that focused on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child survival, malaria, and more.
Today’s action by President Biden is an important first step in advancing the sexual and reproductive health of displaced women and youth around the world. But, it must be just that—a first step. WRC urges the Biden administration to work with Congress to rescind the Hyde and Helms amendments—which also place restrictions on access to safe abortion services—and to restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
With record levels of people displaced by conflict, climate change, and other drivers of displacement, the majority of whom are women and children, the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) crafted a list of priority recommendations for the Biden administration to take action on within the first 100 days.
View the latest update on actions taken by the Biden administration on our priority recommendations.