Welcome to Front Lines, the Center's e-newsletter dedicated to keeping you informed on our fight to advance reproductive rights around the world. We're honored to have you on our team!

Read on for the latest news from Honduras, Argentina, the United States, and Pakistan, and visit our website for more updates.

United States

Biden administration rescinds the "Global Gag Rule," a harmful anti-abortion policy

In a series of executive orders aimed at improving access to affordable health care in the U.S. and globally, President Joe Biden rescinded the "Global Gag Rule," a policy that denied funding for foreign organizations providing abortion information or services. As the world’s largest single donor to global health efforts, this marks a positive step forward in restoring the U.S.’s commitment to health and rights internationally.

Asia

COVID-19's impact on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women in Pakistan

In the Sindh province of Pakistan, COVID-19 has led to the decline of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including contraception, safe abortion services, and obstetric services, threatening to undo years of reproductive health progress. The Center's new fact-finding report provides key recommendations to the government, courts, and civil society to ensure the availability of SRH services during the pandemic and beyond.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In a historic victory, Argentina legalizes abortion

The Argentine Senate voted to permit abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and in January, President Alberto Fernández signed the bill into law. Argentina is now the largest country in Latin America to legalize abortion care, marking a long-fought win for activists who have campaigned for expanded rights for decades.

Honduras amends Constitution to ban abortion, preventing future attempts to allow access

On January 28, the Honduran National Congress voted to amend its national Constitution in order to prohibit abortion outright. The Center has worked closely with local partners to raise awareness about this reform since it was introduced and will continue working to find a way to reverse the effects of this dangerous amendment.

"We stand in solidarity with women in Honduras, especially those living in vulnerable conditions in rural areas, and will work with them to right this injustice."

—Nancy Northup
President and CEO on efforts by the Honduras National Congress to ban abortion.