PAHO says US policy change opens women's health opportunities

The recently-announced change in US policy on foreign aid funding for  women's health programs abroad presents "an opportunity to expand  services that can save the lives and protect the health of millions of  women in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Mirta Roses Periago,  Director of the Pan American Health Organization.

Dr Roses was responding to the Obama administration's recent  announcement that it would lift restrictions on foreign aid funding for  groups that provide family planning services for women in developing  countries. The rescinded restrictions are contained in the Mexico City  Policy, widely known as the "Global Gag Rule." They prevented  organizations from receiving US assistance if they also provided  services related to abortion, including counseling and referrals, even  in countries where these services are legal.

As the Regional Office of the World Health Organization, PAHO promotes  the achievement of "health for all," which includes the respect of  reproductive and sexual rights, and the provision of related health  services.