The Mexico City Policy and the Law of Unintended Consequences

Authors

Michelle Douglas, DO, MBA, HQSM, FACOG, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

7-18-2024

Comments

Presentation: 18:03

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review the events that led to the establishment of the Mexico City Policy and to place the events in an historical context as well as to review the unintended outcomes that arose from the policy, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Possible solutions will also be presented and discussed. The Mexico City Policy (MCP) is commonly known as the global gag rule. The policy prohibits the use of US Foreign Aid dollars to fund family planning services for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that offer, counsel about, or refer women for abortion services. These services cannot be provided using money from any source, not just from US aid (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). In addition, they are not allowed to use US funds to lobby in support of abortion or to teach people about abortion. Since the policy was initiated in 1984 it has been rescinded and reinstated by every administration along party lines (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021). Despite the stated goal of the policy being the prevention of abortion, studies have shown that when the MCP is in effect, the number of pregnancies in Sub-Saharan Africa actually increases (Center for Global Development, 2019). This in turn leads to an increased number of abortions, both legal and illegal. This is thought to be due to the decreased amount of funding available to pay for contraception (Center for Global Development, 2019). When the act is in place the use of contraception decreased, the pregnancy rate increased, and the abortion rate increased. It was also found that these changes were reversible when the policy is rescinded (Center for Global Development, 2019).

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Language

English