The decision by Donald Trump's administration to extend the US policy that bars groups receiving foreign aid from promoting abortion risks weakening United Nations (UN) programmes designed to protect women and support LGBT+ people around the world, experts has warned.
The policy – branded the “promoting human flourishing in foreign assistance policy” – dramatically expands the so-called Mexico City policy, which restricts organisations receiving US funding from providing or promoting abortion services overseas.
The new rule goes much further and attaches broader ideological conditions to American foreign assistance. Organisations that receive US assistance must now ensure that none of their activities, even those funded by other governments, conflict with Washington’s positions on abortion, gender identity or diversity programmes.
The rule took effect in February and could apply to tens of billions of dollars in US foreign aid. Under the policy, non-compliance could lead to funding being withdrawn and previously disbursed money being clawed back.
Experts say the measure could have far-reaching consequences for the UN, which relies heavily on voluntary contributions from member states, including the US, historically its largest donor.
"The new human flourishing policy projects the Trump administration’s political position against gender equality through its global financial assistance", Cristal Downing, a director at the International Crisis Group said.
"This could have broad implications at the UN and elsewhere, compounding the global regression on gender equality that we have seen accelerate in the last year," she continued.
Because the policy applies to voluntary contributions to multilateral organisations, UN agencies may have to ensure their programmes comply with US conditions even when funded by other countries. Critics warn this could affect a wide range of UN work, from programmes helping survivors of sexual violence in war zones to initiatives encouraging women’s participation in peace negotiations - work mandated by the UN Security Council under its Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Support for LGBT+ refugees could also be at risk, with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, running specialised programmes providing safe housing and legal protection for LGBT+ people displaced by conflict. Under the new policy, such work could be interpreted as promoting protections based on gender identity, potentially violating the rule.
Ms Downing said the expanded Mexico City policy could also disrupt partnerships between UN agencies and civil society groups delivering essential services to women and girls. She said: "History shows that the previous version of this policy broke down networks of organisations working on women’s rights. For the UN, this could mean that partnerships between UN agencies and civil society to deliver essential services to women and girls are eroded."
Ten countries including the UK, France and Germany have warned the policy could "constrain the delivery of essential health and social services" and undermine gender equality worldwide, according to a joint letter circulated at the UN.
This article has been produced as part of The Independent’s Rethinking Global Aid project
