Sierra Magazine: The global gag rule puts a choke hold on contraception

The latest issue of Sierra magazine is dedicated to gender equity and the climate crisis.  The magazine highlights the dire consequences of the expanded Global Gag Rule for women in Africa. Since MSI has lost US Government funding, the women we serve have faced more unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and preventable pregnancy-related deaths. But the effects of the Global Gag Rule go further, impeding everything from poverty reduction to tackling the climate crisis. Research shows that voluntary family planning is one of the top 10 most effective responses to climate change.

A new perspective on population

The same issue challenges outdated ideas that blame women for the number of children they have. The truth is, wealthier nations produce far more greenhouse gases per capita than poorer nations with large populations. A US resident who owns a car, eats meat, or flies for vacation has a significantly larger carbon footprint than a woman in Uganda with a large family.

Right now, 214 million women worldwide want to avoid getting pregnant but can't access contraception. Giving every woman the chance to make her own decisions about her body is the right thing to do—and it's good for the environment.

Advancing gender equity and protecting our environment go hand in hand. At MSI, we're committed to helping women take control of their own bodies and futures—so they can help create a better future for all of us.