House Restores Family Planning Funding Cut by Administration
June 19, 2006
On June 9, the House overwhelmingly adopted its version of the FY 2007 foreign operations bill, the annual legislation which funds U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs including Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH) programs. The House-approved bill includes $432 million for FP/RH programs, as well as $34 million for a U.S. contribution to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), subject to a Kemp-Kasten restriction ruling. The $432 million funding level is a significant accomplishment in light of the Bush administrationís desire to cut the FP/RH funding level nearly 20 percent to $357 million. PAI commends family planning champions on the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, in particular Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), for rejecting the steep cuts proposed by the President and for their efforts to restore funding to these critical programs.
Teach women; change the world: Empowerment not only tied to culture, economy but U.S. security as well (Op-ed)
Media Source: Tucson Citizen
June 12, 2006
Just three weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published a John Deering cartoon that is worthy of framing. A turbaned group of Taliban members are pictured deep in a cave, staring wide-eyed at a leaflet bearing the grim ultimatum, "Give us Osama Bin Ladin or we'll send your women to college." Sure it's funny. But why?
Voluntary Family Planning: An Investment in Our World's Future
June 12, 2006
Voluntary family planning programs have been found to be one of the most cost-effective health interventions in the developing world – yet account for less than 2 percent of all official development assistance. Funding worldwide must increase to meet the needs of over 200 million women in developing countries who currently wish to avoid or delay pregnancy but do not have access to modern contraceptives.
The Road To Toronto – Global Targets Needed to Measured Progress
June 6, 2006
Last week's high-level HIV/AIDS review at the United Nations produced an outcome document containing strong language on the unique prevention needs of women and girls. However, despite repeated pleas from over 800 civil society organizations working on the front lines, it lacks targets for marking progress toward ending the scourge of HIV/AIDS worldwide. The U.S. delegation, among others, did not support the inclusion of global targets by which tangible results can be measured, and PAI joins civil society in voicing its disappointment over this lack of action.
Reproductive Health: How Much? Who Pays?
June 1, 2006
Donor assistance for population, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programs continues to increase, but the benchmarks used to assess performance have not changed since 1994. Those who monitor donor performance say that current assistance is not sufficient and that the benchmarks need to move upwards. This review of recent efforts to revise cost estimates for reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services concludes that $35 billion to $45 billion annually will be needed from all sources over the next few years. At the same time, further research is needed to improve the accuracy of such estimates.
The Road To Toronto – Civil Society Must Advocate For Women and Girls at HIV/AIDS Review
May 30, 2006
This week, an unprecedented number of civil society participants will have the unique opportunity to raise their voices at the five-year review of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS). As HIV/AIDS increasingly impacts women and girls, it is imperative that civil society members, in partnership with their country delegations, take full advantage of their participation in the UNGASS review. We urge them to advocate for inclusion of strong language in the final outcome document that highlights sexual and reproductive health and rights as integral to the success of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care worldwide.
Staffers’ Reflections: 'Through Their Own Lens’ Features Hill Workers' Photos
Media Source: Roll Call
May 24, 2006
Charles Dujon, legislative director for Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), visited Madagascar in 2003 with the U.S. Agency for International Development and its NGO partners.
Congressional Action Needed on Contraceptive Supplies
May 22, 2006
In 2001, President Bush's spokesperson affirmed that the President "knows that one of the best ways to prevent abortion is by providing quality voluntary family planning services." Since then, however, Bush's press secretaries have refused to confirm the President's position on contraceptives, and new White House press secretary Tony Snow proved no different last week during Q & A with reporters. With the President remaining silent, PAI calls on Congress to demonstrate its support for reducing the high rate of unintended pregnancies in the developing world – which often lead to abortion – by supporting greater access to contraceptives and quality voluntary family planning programs.
A statement from Amy Coen, President/CEO of Population Action International (PAI), applauding House reversal of President Bush's cuts to international family planning:
May 19, 2006
In a significant rebuke to the Bush administration, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations today approved a fiscal year 2007 appropriations bill that rejects the administration's steep proposed cuts in international family planning and reproductive health programs. If the cuts had been adopted, U.S. efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancies, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections would have been greatly impeded.
Governments Must Prioritize Mothers' Lives 365 Days a Year
May 15, 2006
Mother's Day comes and goes each year, but in order for the world's mothers to truly lead healthy and productive lives, improving access to maternal and child health care – including access to modern contraceptives – must be on the forefront of governments' agendas year-round.
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