Dr. Sukesh Sharma of MSI Reproductive Choices has worked as a gynecologist and surgeon for more than 40 years, providing services like safe abortion and tubal ligation to women in India. While he has seen progress in women’s reproductive healthcare since he started more than four decades ago—“At that time there were many untrained people doing abortions,” he said of his early career—he has also seen how U.S.
“I decided to join MSI because the clients they cater to are from poor and underserved communities,” Sharma said. The United States is the single largest donor to health care programs worldwide. As a result, the repeal of the Helms Amendment could help the 35 million women in low and middle-income countries who currently turn to unsafe abortion each year.
In Uganda, abortion is only permissible when a women’s life is at risk—but because of the Helms Amendment, even that life-saving care cannot be paid for through U.S. funding. global gag rule. This, combined with legislation to repeal the Helms Amendment, would have life-saving impact on women around the world. But if Congress remains deadlocked, a rare chance to improve women’s lives will be wasted.