- Introduction
- Executive Summary
- Background on the Policy
- How You Can Help
- News Room
- Watch the Video
- About the Project
- Impacts on Affected Countries
- Case Study: Ghana
- Case Study: Ethiopia
- Case Study: Dominican Republic
- Case Study: Zambia
- Case Study: Tanzania
- Case Study: Nepal
- Case Study: Kenya
- Case Study: Zimbabwe
Impacts on Affected Countries: Zambia
- The sole NGO to operate reproductive health clinics in Zambia has lost nearly 40 percent of its staff members, scaled back services, and ended vital community-based distribution of contraceptive supplies and health information.
- Financial losses caused by the gag rule have made it impossible for Zambia’s primary family planning provider to expand and meet the rapidly growing demand for reproductive health services in the country.
- The effects of the gag rule, coupled with a general shift in donor support from reproductive health to HIV treatment, have greatly hindered HIV prevention efforts.
A Closer Look
Population: 11.7 million (2005)
Percentage of women aged 15-49: 45%
Contraceptive prevalence
(natural and modern
methods): 34%
HIV prevalence in adults aged 15-49: 17%
Average births per woman: 5.2
Percentage of population aged 24 or younger: 68%
Life expectancy: 39 years
Abortion policy: Abortion is technically legal but extremely difficult to obtain. A woman must first consult with and then get the approval of three physicians before she can go to one of the few facilities that perform the procedure.
