President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to pursue an aggressive plan to further womens equality in the U.S. and around the world a sharp reversal from the Trump administration s moves to roll back reproductive rights , sexual health and family planning. Part of that plan is to rescind the global gag rule , a policy that bars the federal government from offering U.S. aid to any foreign health organization that also offers or provides information on abortion services.

But reversing the work of four years of the most extreme anti-woman presidential administration in recent history wont be easy.

Rescinding the [global gag rule] policy is not like turning a light switch on and off, said Jonathan Rucks, senior director of policy and advocacy at PAI , an international group that promotes reproductive health care.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence not only reinstated the gag rule on day one of Trumps presidency (an expected move from a Republican president), Trump expanded it twice and is currently looking to expand it once more before his term ends.

These policy changes will have a lasting effect around the world. It will take time and a concerted effort from Biden, both in messaging and in policy, to show the world that, under his administration, the U.S. supports womens reproductive freedom.

The Trump administration has really stigmatized and discriminated against comprehensive services. In particular, abortion, but also any services that key and vulnerable populations seek out as well, Rucks said. All of that work has to be undone.