During Trump's first term, MSI Reproductive Choices experienced a staggering $120 million drop in donor income, which adversely affected millions of women globally, increasing the risk of preventable maternal deaths.

The reinstatement of the global gag rule could severely impact women's health in Zimbabwe, potentially leading to 1.3 million women losing access to care, resulting in an estimated 461,000 unintended pregnancies and 1,400 maternal deaths.

As the potential re-election of Trump looms, organizations like MSI Reproductive Choices are advocating for abortion rights, but many NGOs reliant on U.S. funding may face pressure to compromise their abortion guidelines to secure necessary aid.

Women’s health advocates are increasingly concerned about the potential reinstatement of the gag rule, which could lead to broader restrictions on NGOs receiving U.S. aid, as highlighted by the conservative Heritage Foundation's Project 2025.

Historically, the gag rule has been enacted by Republican presidents since the mid-1980s, with significant expansions during Trump's first term, which led to a loss of approximately $600 million in U.S. family planning funds and over $11 billion in global health aid.

After President Biden rescinded the gag rule in 2021, Population Services Zimbabwe received $9 million in 2023, but the organization continues to struggle to recover from the financial losses incurred during the previous administration.

Population Services Zimbabwe lost funding due to its refusal to comply with the gag rule, resulting in the closure of outreach clinics that serve vulnerable populations in the region.

The outreach clinic in Epworth is vital for women like Engeline Mukanya, who cannot afford private healthcare, underscoring the urgent need for accessible family planning services in impoverished areas.

Sithulisiwe Moyo, a 19-year-old mother in Epworth, relies on a local outreach clinic for birth control, which is crucial for her educational aspirations, highlighting the importance of such services.

The global gag rule prohibits U.S. foreign aid from supporting any organizations that provide or discuss abortion services, significantly limiting women's access to reproductive health services worldwide.

The funding cuts resulting from the gag rule have severely impacted various health initiatives in Africa, including those aimed at malaria prevention and maternal health.

In South Africa, some NGOs have had to alter their abortion service guidelines to secure funding, illustrating the difficult choices organizations face in the current political climate.