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Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, Ph.D. Senior Policy Advisor, Ipas International AIDS Conference

U.S. Advocacy Efforts to Secure Reinterpretation of the Helms Amendment. Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, Ph.D. Senior Policy Advisor, Ipas International AIDS Conference July 24, 2012. Overview. The Helms Amendment prohibition on U.S. support for safe abortion Ipas research

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Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, Ph.D. Senior Policy Advisor, Ipas International AIDS Conference

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  1. U.S. Advocacy Efforts to Secure Reinterpretation of the Helms Amendment Dr. Jamila K. Taylor, Ph.D. Senior Policy Advisor, Ipas International AIDS Conference July 24, 2012

  2. Overview • The Helms Amendment prohibition on U.S. support for safe abortion • Ipas research • Helms impact on U.S. global AIDS programs • Recommendations for the U.S. Government • Recommendations for NGOs (implementers and advocates) • Cross-cutting consequences of Helms – 40 years and counting

  3. The Helms Amendment andU.S. Foreign Assistance • Adopted in 1973 • U.S. foreign assistance funds cannot be used to “pay for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortion.” • Helms vs. Global Gag Rule

  4. Ipas Research • Three separate research projects between 2008 and 2011 examining Helms implementation • Over 200 interviews conducted • Worked in close consultation with USAID grantees and advocacy groups headquartered in Washington, DC

  5. Helms Impact on U.S. Global AIDS Programs • Service providers and field staff find it hard to provide HIV+ women with unbiased RH options • No clear understanding of whether or not referrals and counseling for abortion are permissible • Understand Helms as a complete ban on all abortion-related care and services

  6. Recommendations – U.S. Government • Formally interpret Helms to allow for abortions in cases of rape, life, and incest • U.S.G agencies (USAID, PRM, and OGAC) should include abortion services within global health programs – GBV programs could be a first step • Issue clear guidance on permissible activities and compliance • Work with key stakeholders (health ministries, civil society groups, providers, etc.) to ensure full SRHR of HIV+ women

  7. Recommendations – NGOs Organizations Implementing U.S.-funded HIV/AIDS Programs: • Stay informed about key policy and procedural changes in your U.S.-funded programs • Notify all staff funded through U.S. foreign aid, including front-line health providers • Provide referrals, info., and counseling on abortion where legal (as permitted by the Leahy Amendment) Advocacy Organizations: • Advocate for full SRHR of HIV+ women, including abortion • Publicize the denial of reproductive rights of HIV+ women • Support advocacy efforts of HIV+ women

  8. Cross-cutting Consequences of Helms: 40 years and counting… • Denial of information, counseling, and services to women that increasingly are legal in their own countries • Confusion among U.S. aid grantees; excessive censorship • Stigma and injustice • Increased injuries and deaths

  9. They count on us!

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