We congratulate President Barack Obama for repealing the Global Gag Rule as one of his first actions in office. The elimination of this onerous policy, which prevented non-governmental organizations, who receive US funds, from providing abortion information, referrals and services, is a first step toward protecting the health, lives and dignity of women and girls around the world and in restoring global confidence in the United States.

Worldwide, more young women aged 15 to 19 die from pregnancy-related complications than from HIV. The Bush-era restrictions on family planning in developing countries have jeopardized the world’s most critically underserved populations for far too long.

Advocates for Youth looks forward to the implementation of US foreign policies that respect and value women and young people, recognizes the critical importance of reproductive health to global development and stability and seeks to ensure all people are capable of achieving the highest standard of health and human rights.

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Advocates for Youth is a national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.