Jane Onyanga-Omara

USA TODAY

Eight countries joined an initiative to raise millions of dollars to fill a shortfall caused by President Trump’s ban on funding groups that provide information about abortions, Sweden's deputy prime minister said Thursday.

Isabella Lovin said Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Canada and Cape Verde offered to help meet the expected $600 million shortfall over the next four years because of Trump's move, known as the "global gag rule" by pro-abortion groups.

The Netherlands previously announced it wanted to help set up a global abortion fund to make up for the loss in money.

Lovin announced the new commitment in an interview with Reuters. She told the news agency that a conference will take place in Brussels on March 2 to launch a funding drive to help non-governmental organizations involved in family planning projects.

The "global gag rule" was first adopted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Since then, Democratic presidents have repealed it soon after taking office while Republicans have reinstated it. Trump signed an executive order Jan. 23 prohibiting U.S. aid from supporting international groups that promote abortion.

Lilianne Ploumen, the Dutch minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, said Trump's order would lead to "dangerous backroom procedures and higher maternal mortality. ... Banning abortion does not reduce the number of abortions."

Lovin was pictured this month signing an environmental bill with seven other women in the background. The photo was widely compared to one of Trump signing an order with only men looking on.

Trump wields his presidential pen, signing memos on trade, hiring, abortion