Gotta
love the Dutch – Way to go!!!
Dutch
commit $10 million to replace lost U.S. abortion funding
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -
The Netherlands has committed $10 million for an initiative to replace funding
for abortion services in developing countries that will be lost due to U.S.
President Donald Trump's ban on financing foreign groups that provide
abortions.
Trump reinstated a
policy on Monday requiring overseas organizations that receive U.S.
family-planning funds to certify they do not perform abortions or provide
abortion advice as a method of family planning.
The Netherlands, which
has some of the world's most liberal laws on reproductive health, said earlier
this week the fund would seek donations from other governments, charities and
companies as well as individuals.
Dutch officials
estimate that the U.S. ban, which was condemned by women's rights and health
campaigners, will cause a funding shortfall of $600 million over the next four
years. Campaigners say that will endanger women's lives.
Liliane Ploumen, Dutch
minister for international development cooperation, said she was confident
after early discussions that fundraising would go a long way toward plugging
the gap.
"Of course more
money is needed," Ploumen said. "According to the signals we have been
getting I am confident we will go far. The Dutch have not named other possible
donor countries, but Canada has said it is considering contributing.
On Friday, Ploumen,
for whose Labour party women's rights have long been a signature issue,
launched a website, www.shedecides.eu, telling the public how they could
contribute to the fund. Officials said the Dutch had been inundated with
queries from individuals around the world asking how to help.
For Labour, the junior
party in the governing coalition, the issue could help rally support among its
urban, progressive voter base ahead of a March 15 election. Polls show such
supporters have deserted the party in droves after years of painful austerity.
(Reporting by
Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Thomas Escritt and Helen Popper)
Sad that other countries
care more about American women than our current government.
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