Dutch abortion fund to counteract ‘global gag’ rule

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands is seeking to set up an overseas abortion fund to counteract Donald Trump’s recent ban against funding international groups which give women information about terminations.

Dutch minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen said she intends to establish an international fund which would finance projects relating to access of birth control, abortion and women’s education, throughout developing countries.

Ploumen announced the plan in reaction to an extensive memorandum signed by Trump to restrict access to information on abortion for women who are in receipt of aid from international development groups.

Known as the Mexico City Policy or the ‘global gag’ rule, it prohibits US funding for any international aid groups which give women information about abortion, even if they do not perform the procedures.

Ploumen said the fund could be supported by governments, businesses and social organisations concerned by the US president’s actions in order to “compensate this financial setback as much as possible”.

She told colleagues that the policy had far-reaching consequences not only for women who have to make the choice to have a child or not but also for their husbands, children and society at large.

“Banning abortion does not lead to fewer abortions. It leads to more irresponsible practices in back rooms and more maternal deaths.” – The Independent