The familiar Mexico City policy has yet again been instated. The Mexico City policy has continuously gone back and forth, originating with former president Ronald Reagan in 1984. Since then, the policy has repeatedly been lifted and reinstated with the switching of party leadership in the White House.
As expected, President Trump has returned the policy to power through an executive order. This policy bans the allocation of funds to nongovernmental organizations that work abroad and “encourages” abortions as an option for its patrons.
Overall, these organizations offer a myriad of services that go beyond abortion. Many advocates of women’s reproductive health across the world criticize this decision, given that the policy puts many organizations at a disadvantage and can reduce the quantity (and quality) of the service they provide internationally. By cutting funding to these nongovernmental agencies for informing their patrons of all of their options, the amount of contraceptives and preemptive methods is reduced. In a 2015 report from Population Action International, we can see how this policy affects the amount of abortions within a region. During the Bush administration, a time when this policy was active, the amount of abortions within sub-Saharan Africa has increased. Arguably, this is attributed to the reduction of access to contraceptives for women within sub-Saharan Africa.
Whereas many pro-life groups have praised President Trump’s position on this policy, many advocates for women’s health have gone against this policy. During the Bush administration, many organizations opted to stop receiving government funds in order to maintain the ability to inform women of every option they have available.