Over a month has passed since President Obama abolished the Mexico City Policy, which is similar to Australia’s AusAID Family Planning Guidelines, leaving Australia as the only secular country in the world to restrict its aid funding in regard to abortion.
“Minister Smith announced at a Labour caucus meeting at the beginning of February this year, that a decision would be ‘imminent’, but I am left asking why the Australian government continues to make some of the poorest women in the world wait?” asked Ary Laufer, Executive Officer for Marie Stopes International Australia.
As International Women’s Day traditionally celebrates the achievements of women, and draws attention to issues of injustice and inequality, Marie Stopes International Australia asks: How many women’s lives could have been saved during this time of inaction?
This policy restricts Australian aid funding being used for activities, information, research or training related to abortion - even in countries where it is legal.
Additionally, the guidelines stop development organisations from educating women on choices of family planning methods, resulting in unsafe abortions with harmful health consequences, and oftentimes death.
“Some of Australia’s poorest neighbouring countries have devastating rates of maternal mortality, and the highest contributing factor to these deaths is unsafe abortion,” said, Mr Laufer.
“These guidelines have a role in the tragic and preventative deaths of hundreds of thousands of women around the world,”
“On International Women’s Day, we want to give these women a voice. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and contributors to their communities. We want to see them continue to live and thrive as strong, healthy women.”
The guidelines are not a legislative or legal issue, and simply require the Foreign Minster, Stephen Smith, to approve their removal.
About Marie Stopes International Australia: Marie Stopes International Australia is an Australian not-for-profit, non-government, tax-deductible organisation (NGO) that provides vital reproductive health services in low-income communities in Asia Pacific region and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
For media enquiries contact Claire Maloney - Marie Stopes International Australia on 0431 279 785
