Planned Parenthood Applauds the Introduction of the Global Democracy Promotion Act in the Senate

Statement of Latanya Mapp Frett, Vice President – Global, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, on the introduction of the Global Democracy Promotion Act in the Senate:

“Planned Parenthood commends Senators Barbara Boxer and Frank R. Lautenberg for introducing the Global Democracy Promotion Act in the Senate.  This bill would once and for all end the global gag rule and the harmful limits it once imposed.

“Recently introduced in the House by Congresswoman Nita Lowey, this bill would prohibit U.S. policymakers from attaching restrictions to foreign assistance that prohibit recipients of U.S. funding from carrying out activities that are legal in their countries and in ours.

“U.S. foreign aid should never be used as a tool to limit women’s access to health care or to impose unfair restrictions on the decision-making ability of independent organizations overseas.  The women of the world need information and services, not censorship and restrictions.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.