The Dutch government has announced that it has raised $305 million to fund birth control and abortion services to women in developing countries.
The fundraising effort, “She Decides,” was begun in January in response to President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive order barring U.S. funding to international aid organizations that discuss abortion as part of their family planning services.
Lilianne Ploumen, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development, who spearheaded the initative, called it “very good news for millions of women and girls in developing countries,” reported ABC News.
Earlier this year, the president of the pro-life Culture of Life Africa, Obianuju Ekeocha, send a video message to European delegates to the “She Decides” conference, asking them whether anyone had asked Africans what they thought about abortion funding in their countries.
“Many countries in the West, including Canada and the Netherlands have decided to come together to raise funds. Not funds for food in Africa. Not funds for water in Africa. Not funds that the Africans can use as they want. Instead, they are gathering together to raise millions of dollars that they are dedicating to the so called safe abortion. What is actually most disheartening is that these western countries have not even thought of asking the Africans what they want!” said Ekeocha.