Civil society groups and non-governmental organisations have condemned the proposed Global Gag Rule (GGR) policy, warning that if implemented, it will prevent access to safe abortion as well as family planning assistance, thereby risking the health and lives of women.

The policy, which is an initiative of the US government under the Donald Trump administration, prevents NGOs that receive US global health assistance funds to engage in these services.

According to the founding director, Women Advicates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, “even though Nigeria is legally against abortion, one in seven Nigerian women try to obtain an abortion.”

She said that the policy will create more problems for people who do not have a voice and so it is necessary that the nation look inwards to generate funds to finance maternal health issues.