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The Mexico City Policy, named for the venue of the population conference where it was announced, was instituted by United States President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to make the issue of Abortion a condition for providing funds from the US foreign aid agency USAID . Called the "global gag rule" by opponents, it required "nongovernmental organizations to agree as a condition of their receipt of {Link without Title} federal funds that such organizations would neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations." This policy forced NGOs to quickly decide whether to forego often substantial funding from USAID or change their operations. The London-based International Planned Parenthood Federation ( IPPF ) refused to change their stance and lost more than 20% of its funding. Other reproductive health organizations including the Family Guidance Association Of Ethiopia and the Planned Parenthood Association Of Zambia likewise refused changes to match U.S. policies, with even greater funding cuts as a result. Romania n and Colombia n NGOs were among those that relented, deciding they could not give up US aid. This policy was in effect until it was rescinded on January 22 , 1993 by President Bill Clinton . It was likewise reinstated January 22 , 2001 , by President George W. Bush with the comment, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortions or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad. It is therefore my belief that the Mexico City Policy should be restored." However, some Pro-Life activists strongly criticize Bush's actions, claiming it was a phony gesture meant to con the Pro-Life Community. This charge comes from the fact that the Mexico City Policy applies only to overseas NGOs that use abortion as a method of family planning. Overseas NGOs who promote abortion, just not as a form of ''family planning'', still receive full federal funding. {Link without Title} The gag rule has also been criticized for cutting off funding to the crucial and sometimes sole health agencies in many regions. Additionally, critics dispute the effectiveness of the Mexico City Policy in reducing abortions in the affected countries. Some of these critics go so far as to speculate that it may have even increased unwanted pregnancies and thus abortion rates in many countries denied USAID-donated Condom s. The strict nature of gag rule has implications for organizations in certain countries, such as South Africa , where even if these organizations would normally support the gag rule itself, it is illegal for them not to inform a woman seeking an abortion of her rights and to refuse to refer her to a facility where she may have an abortion. The President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief is excluded from the Mexico City Policy. AIDS brochure The who said that the European Union wished to "fill the decency gap" left by the Mexican City policy."I should like to respond to Mrs Sandbæk's remarks concerning the negative impact of the Mexico City Policy carried out by the Bush Administration in Washington. I agree with the choice of wording put forward by Mrs Sandbæk. We have reacted to this policy, which was announced when President Bush took office, by saying clearly that Europe is ready and willing to fill the decency gap, and that is what we are doing." IN POPULAR MEDIA The David E. Kelley television show '' Boston Legal '' featured a case in an episode premiering on May 9 , 2006 , in which Denny Crane ( William Shatner ) represented the United States in a case involving withdrawal of USAID after a poster was misinterpreted in a Nepal clinic, causing a woman in need of medical attention to hemorrhage and lose her son before he was born. SOURCES REFERENCES SEE ALSO |
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