The US Administration’s Assault on Global Reproductive Health and Autonomy

• Published in: Health and human rights Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 95 - 100
• Main Author: XU, WINONA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States President and Fellows of Harvard College 01.06.2025; Harvard School of Public Health; Harvard University Press; Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights
• Subjects: Abortion; Action; Autonomy; Clinics; Closure; Contraceptives; Disruption; Executive orders; Health problems; Health services; Health status; Human dignity; Management; Marginality; Maternal characteristics; Maternal mortality; Refugees; Reinstatement; Reproductive health; Reproductive rights; VIEWPOINT; Women; United States > US
• ISSN: 1079-0969; 2150-4113; 2150-4113

The recent actions of the US administration, particularly following President Trump's second inauguration, represent a significant threat to global reproductive health and autonomy. An executive order halting foreign assistance for 90 days has led to the closure of clinics and disruption of essential health services, including maternal care and contraceptive distribution. The reinstatement and expansion of the Global Gag Rule further restricts organizations from discussing or providing abortion services, undermining the principle of bodily autonomy. These policies disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including refugees and those in conflict zones, exacerbating health crises and increasing unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality. The US rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration aligns it with anti-abortion stances, potentially influencing other nations to adopt similar restrictive measures. The cumulative effect of these actions threatens decades of progress in global health, particularly in areas reliant on US funding. Urgent action is needed to lift these restrictions, restore funding, and reaffirm commitments to reproductive rights, ensuring the health and dignity of women and marginalized populations worldwide.