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 Trump reinstated a policy on Monday requiring overseas organizations
that receive U.S. family-planning funds to certify they do not
perform abortions or provide abortion advice as a method of family
planning.
The Netherlands, which has some of the world's most liberal laws on
reproductive health, said earlier this week the fund would seek
donations from other governments, charities and companies as well as
individuals.
Dutch officials estimate that the U.S. ban, which was condemned by
women's rights and health campaigners, will cause a funding
shortfall of $600 million over the next four years. Campaigners say
that will endanger women's lives.
Liliane Ploumen, Dutch minister for international development
cooperation, said she was confident after early discussions that
fundraising would go a long way toward plugging the gap.
"Of course more money is needed," Ploumen said. "According to the
signals we have been getting I am confident we will go far. The
Dutch have not named other possible donor countries, but Canada has
said it is considering contributing.
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On Friday, Ploumen, for whose Labour party women's rights have long
been a signature issue, launched a website, www.shedecides.eu,
telling the public how they could contribute to the fund. Officials
said the Dutch had been inundated with queries from individuals
around the world asking how to help.
For Labour, the junior party in the governing coalition, the issue
could help rally support among its urban, progressive voter base
ahead of a March 15 election. Polls show such supporters have
deserted the party in droves after years of painful austerity.
(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Thomas Escritt and
Helen Popper)
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