Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted January 15, 2009 I clearly remember that cold day in January 2001, when George W. Bush reinstated the global gag rule. And, just as clearly, I remember looking forward to the day we would overturn it. Again. Well, Michelle, that day is coming. Finally! This is one petition you'll want your name on just so that you can celebrate when -- mind you, I'm saying "when" not "if" -- President Obama rescinds the rule. http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/globalgag_ppol/iwsw56k4okx66jn?source=globalgag_e1_ppol The global gag rule has had an enormous negative impact on women around the world since President Reagan first put it into effect. Hundreds of thousands of people like you and me protested the rule, which mandated that no U.S. family planning assistance funding can be given to organizations that provide abortion services, offer counseling and referral for abortion care, or advocate legal abortion access in their own countries -- even if they do so with their own funds. When President Clinton came into office, he quickly overturned the rule. And then came President Bush, who made it a priority to put it right back into effect. The results have been devastating. Because of the global gag rule, international reproductive health care organizations have faced a dangerous dilemma: either accept desperately needed U.S. funds but deny women life-saving services and information, or reject U.S. assistance and be forced to cut crucial prevention services. The Planned Parenthood international program made the difficult decision to continue to provide the full gamut of health care services without limitation, thus being ineligible for U.S. assistance, and we worked hard to find other private funding sources. But many other programs simply couldn't afford to do so. Can you imagine how many women have borne the brunt of this cruel see-saw? The number is simply incomprehensible -- 200 million women. That's the approximate number of women in developing countries who wish to delay or end childbearing but lack access to modern contraceptives. When I add my name to our petition to President Obama, it will be for them. I want women all over the world to know that they matter. Please, join me -- and I'll let you know as soon as we get the word there's a reason to celebrate. While repealing the global gag rule is a critical step in recognizing that women's health must be a priority, it's just a first step. The fight for access to health care and rights is an uphill one, and there is serious work to be done to rectify nearly a decade of bad policies not just in the U.S. but around the world. In the short term, restoring funding for UNFPA; removing abstinence-only requirements in AIDS funding; and increasing foreign assistance for reproductive health, including $1 billion for family planning, will move us in the right direction. President Obama and the new Congress have their work cut out for them as they take office. The multitude of problems facing the country is challenging indeed. The global gag rule? This one's easy. Let's make sure it happens. Sign the petition. http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/globalgag_ppol/iwsw56k4okx66jn?source=globalgag_e1_ppol Thank you, as always, and keep an eye out for upcoming actions you can take to help us win these battles for women around the world. Sincerely, Cecile Richards, President Planned Parenthood Federation of America Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CabbitGirl 4,018 Report post Posted January 15, 2009 *signs* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
