Trump reverses abortion policy
President Donald Trump on Monday signed a decree barring US federal funding for foreign NGOs that support abortion, relaunching a battle that has long divided Americans.
"The president, it's no secret, has made it very clear he's a pro-life president. He wants to stand up for all Americans, including the unborn," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.
"The reinstatement of this policy is not just something that echoes that value, but respects taxpayer funding as well."
The restrictions prohibit foreign non-governmental organizations that receive US family planning assistance from using non-US funding to provide abortion services, information, counseling or referrals.
They are also barred from engaging in advocacy to promote abortion.
The move comes just two days after women led a massive protest march in Washington -- with satellite rallies across the country and around the world -- to defend their rights, including to abortion.
And it also comes a day after the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in 1973.
Trump's move deepened concern among already apprehensive US family planning and women's rights organizations.
"The world's most vulnerable women will suffer as a direct result of this policy, which undermines years of effort to improve women's health," said Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.
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