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Statements
July 10, 2019

Plan International USA statement on Mexico City Policy study

Plan International remains concerned about the negative impact the Mexico City Policy (MCP) has on the lives of millions of vulnerable girls and women across the world. According to a new Stanford University study, there is “a substantial increase in abortions among women affected by the U.S. Mexico City Policy.” This study confirms that the policy actually produces the opposite effect of its stated goal of reducing abortion rates. In addition, it causes vulnerable girls and women to suffer as a result of vital sexual and reproductive health services being withdrawn.

The 2019 study compares contraception use, pregnancies and abortion rates in 26 sub-Saharan African countries during the reinstatement and subsequent repeal of the policy (also known as the Global Gag Rule) across three Presidential Administrations. Similar to a June 2018 report from the Center for Health and Gender Equity, the Stanford study published in The Lancet finds that when the policy is in place, there is “a rise of approximately 40% in relation to the average abortion rate,” versus when the policy is not in effect. This enormous increase in abortion rates is also mirrored by a decline in the use of contraception and an increase in unwanted pregnancies.

A February 2018 six-month review of the policy released by the State Department suggested conducting a further review of the policy by December 2018, “when more extensive experience will enable a more thorough examination of the benefits and challenges.” As of yet, no additional reviews have been released. If this Administration is committed to examining the effects of this policy, the Stanford University study should greatly inform their next review.

Quality sexual and reproductive health care services and information can transform the lives of girls and women, as well as their communities. The wider benefits of these services are helping pull millions out of poverty. Lack of access to sexual and reproductive health care services and information has broad implications that go beyond health, and is likely to impact girls’ and young women’s educational opportunities and career prospects.

Plan’s experience shows that comprehensive sexuality education and access to quality contraceptive services can significantly improve girls’ and women’s lives. It is imperative that the Mexico City Policy be repealed to ensure girls and women around the world are provided with adequate sexual and reproductive health services, in line with the evidence of its effectiveness. With this goal in mind, Plan supports the Global HER bill and the inclusion of the repeal of the policy in the House Appropriations Bill for FY2020.

Statements
April 9, 2019

Position statement on reproductive health services: Mexico City Policy puts girls’ health at risk

Updated March 15, 2022

AN UPDATE REGARDING PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S POSITION ON MEXICO CITY POLICY

Plan International is extremely disappointed by today’s Congressional action for failing to more permanently end U.S. government efforts to restrict access to reproductive health and rights around the world through the so-called Mexico City Policy (MCP[1]). While the MCP was repealed last year by President Biden through Executive Order, today’s legislation should have meant means that MCP can no longer be reinstated by a future president acting alone.

The negative impact the MCP has inflicted on the lives of millions of vulnerable girls and women across the world since the Reagan Administration is well documented. In fact, the State Department’s own study from August 2020 confirmed what global health organizations and advocates have known for years: the MCP disrupts access to health services. The report clearly outlines disruptions in care spanning global health programs, including for HIV/AIDS, family planning and reproductive health, tuberculosis and nutrition.

Furthermore a Stanford University study found the MCP does not even meet its own goals, stating that there is “a substantial increase in abortions among women affected by the U.S. Mexico City Policy.” In addition, it causes vulnerable girls and women to suffer as a result of vital sexual and reproductive health services being withdrawn.

Quality sexual and reproductive health care services and information can transform the lives of girls and women, as well as their communities. The wider benefits of these services are helping pull millions out of poverty. Lack of access to sexual and reproductive health care services and information has broad implications that go beyond health, often impacting girls’ and young women’s educational opportunities and career prospects.

Plan’s experience shows that comprehensive sexuality education and access to quality contraceptive services can significantly improve girls’ and women’s lives. With this goal in mind, for the last five years, Plan supported the prohibition of the MCP by law, thus preventing future presidents from reinstating it on their own through executive orders. Plan will continue to support these efforts through the budget process and the Global HER Act, which passed the House of Representatives last year.

[1] Also known as the Global Gag Rule

April 9, 2019

Plan International is concerned about the impact the January 2017 expansion of the Mexico City Policy and its recently announced strict enforcement will have on the lives of millions of vulnerable girls and women across the world. On March 26th, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration will withhold funding from foreign nongovernmental organizations that in turn fund foreign groups that perform abortions. Mr. Pompeo also said the government was “fully enforcing” a law that prohibits groups from using United States aid to lobby on abortion issues. Aggressive enforcement of the law would lead to a further reduction in services for women’s sexual and reproductive health.

Lack of access to sexual and reproductive health care services and information has broad implications that go beyond health, and is likely to impact girls’ and young women’s educational opportunities and career prospects.

Girls need education, information, and quality services

We recognize the importance of preventing unintended pregnancy through the provision of comprehensive sexuality education including accurate information on contraceptives as well as access to quality contraceptive services (including emergency contraception) for all girls and women.

Our experience shows that comprehensive sexuality education and access to quality contraceptive services can significantly improve girls’ and women’s life chances, including their survival and survival of their children.

Vulnerable girls need support

Unintended pregnancies are often a consequence of violations of girls’ and women’s fundamental rights. Millions of vulnerable girls and women will suffer if sexual and reproductive health services that provide vital support to them are withdrawn or cut back as a consequence of the Mexico City Policy.

Promoting health for all and achieving gender equality are at the heart of the Global Goals. Mexico City Policy could have unintended consequences when it comes to achieving targets related to reducing global maternal mortality rates and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services. Denying funding to vital health care provisions will also undermine investments to end extreme poverty and promote economic and social development.

Report & Resource
September 10, 2018

Executive Summary: The State of Gender Equality for U.S. Adolescents

These survey highlights indicate we still have a long way to go in the U.S. to achieve gender equality.

In the past few years, gender equality has resurfaced as a major issue in the U.S. public sphere. The 2016 presidential election fueled a massive Women’s March, one of the largest protests in U.S. history, in January
2017. An anniversary Women’s March took place across the country in January 2018. The #MeToo movement erupted in 2017 and continues through today. Discussions ranging from parental leave to the gender pay gap and sexual harassment in the workplace have made front-page headlines and sparked national debates—but the voices of adolescent girls and boys on these issues have not often been heard.

In an effort to understand how children and youths’ views on gender equality are influenced and to provide a starting point to ensuring girls everywhere are valued and provided equal opportunities, Plan International USA commissioned PerryUndem to conduct an extensive public opinion study of U.S. adolescents, ages 10 to 19, on issues and experiences related to gender equality. The goal of the research is to provide a resource for policymakers, media, and others who want to understand how children are internalizing inequality and how their views may take shape.

Report & Resource
August 13, 2018

Adolescent girls in crisis: Voices from South Sudan

This report explores how adolescent girls are impacted by the crisis in South Sudan, amplifies their voices and perceptions of the crisis, and presents their views on how the humanitarian sector might respond.

Amplifying the voices of adolescent girls in South Sudan and presenting their opinions on how the humanitarian sector should respond to the crisis.

Now half a decade long, the conflict in South Sudan has displaced four million people and placed seven million in need of humanitarian assistance. While all civilians face multiple forms of insecurity, adolescent girls are affected by this protracted crisis in ways that are different both from adolescent boys and from adult women, and in ways that are often overlooked.

Voices from South Sudan explores how adolescent girls within two age brackets (aged 10-14 and 15-19) understand the unique impact the crisis has upon them. It seeks to amplify their voices and perceptions of the crisis, and presents their views on how the humanitarian sector might respond.

Report & Resource
October 3, 2016

The state of the World’s Girls 2016

‘Counting the Invisible’ explores the current state of gender data and exposes the gaps.

Counting the Invisible

Millions of girls are ‘invisible’ to governments and policy makers because vital data is not being recorded about their lives.

‘Counting the Invisible’ explores the current state of gender data and exposes the gaps: we don’t count how many girls leave school because of early marriage, pregnancy or violence, exactly how many give birth before they turn 15, how many hours a day they spend working, what kind of work they do and whether they get paid for it.

The new report from Plan International reveals how improving the information we have about girls will help create a just world and equality for all.

Report & Resource
December 16, 2015

Lasting Impact: Evaluating Ten Years of Advancing Women’s Leadership

Plan International USA evaluates the effectiveness of its Global Women in Management (GWIM) program.

Evaluating 10 Years of Advancing Women’s Leadership.

For over a decade, the ExxonMobil Foundation’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Initiative (WEOI) – a global effort to help women in developing countries fulfill their economic potential and serve as drivers of economic and social change in their communities—has invested in Plan International USA’s Global Women in Management (GWIM) program.

To measure the long-term effects of the GWIM program, Plan administered a mixed-methods evaluation (online survey of program alumni from the past ten years; focus group discussions with alumni and in-depth interviews with alumni and their supervisors). Though the online survey data are self-reported, this evaluation also triangulated findings from other program documents, including the six-month followon survey conducted after each GWIM workshop as well as other evaluation reports. Combined, these data provide essential information for not only assessing program outcomes, but also for improving future program design and implementation.

Report & Resource
September 15, 2015

The State of the world’s girls 2015

The State of the World’s Girls 2015 report is a collection of essays by a diverse group of writers, activists and politicians, based on the different themes of the report series.

The Unfinished Business of Girls’ Rights

The State of the World’s Girls 2015 report is a collection of essays by a diverse group of writers, activists and politicians, based on the different themes of the report series.

Writers tackle girls and the economy, conflict and disaster, the role of men and boys, the digital divide: girls and technology, education, and the question of power. We look at progress made and the work that needs to be done in this pivotal year of 2015 as the MDGs are replaced by the SDGs. How will adolescent girls’ rights be protected, and what can and should we do to promote gender justice?

This report will generate a debate around the State of the World’s Girls which will reach beyond the parameters of gender and development to embrace the voices, opinions and stories of a wide range of influential writers, activists and thinkers from diverse locations, backgrounds and political affiliations.