Population Action International

Equality for Women, Sustainable Populations for the World

July 11, 2005
The world's population has more than doubled in the last half-century and is increasing by nearly 76 million people each year. Poor access to reproductive health services and the low social status of women continue to drive population growth, most of which is taking place in the world's poorest countries. On the occasion of this World Population Day (July 11), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is campaigning to underscore the important issue of gender equality, and PAI joins them in this effort.

Rhetoric vs. Reality: Administration’s Inaction Speaks Louder Than Words

July 6, 2005
The United States joins other world leaders this week at the 31st Group of Eight (G8) summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, where as host, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is turning the spotlight on economic development. While the conversation will focus primarily on development efforts in Africa, it speaks to the role and future of the broader Millennium Declaration agenda, which includes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to which 191 countries, including the United States, agreed in 2000.

Legislative and Policy Update

June 21, 2005

Sexual and Reproductive Health is Key to the MDGs

June 20, 2005
Civil society is taking center stage this week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly hearings. Only months away from the 2005 World Summit – the five-year anniversary of the Millennium Declaration and an opportunity to review progress made toward achievement of the MDGs – the sexual and reproductive health community is taking every opportunity to advance one message: universal access to sexual and reproductive health services is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly those related to gender equality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS and environmental sustainability.

First Country to Receive Assistance from Millennium Challenge Account is Featured in New Documentary – Finding Balance Links Population Pressures, Health Needs and the Environment

June 14, 2005
Finding Balance: Forests and Family Planning in Madagascar, an award-winning 9-minute documentary by Population Action International, explores the work of Voahary Salama-an innovative local organization that works to reduce pressure on the environment while improving the health of the country's population-and features rare interviews with local women who reveal their desire to have smaller families.

First Country to Receive Assistance from Millennium Challenge Account is Featured in New Documentary

June 14, 2005
Finding Balance Links Population Pressures, Health Needs and the Environment Finding Balance: Forests and Family Planning in Madagascar, an award-winning 9-minute documentary by Population Action International, explores the work of Voahary Salama—an innovative local organization that works to reduce pressure on the environment while improving the health of the country's population—and features rare interviews with local women who reveal their desire to have smaller families.

Population Action International to Premiere Award-Winning Film

May 23, 2005
With 90 percent of its forests already destroyed, the need for balance in Madagascar's fragile ecosystem is great. PAI's award-winning film, Finding Balance: Forests and Family Planning in Madagascar, draws attention to the impact of rapid population growth on the country's rural villages and emphasizes the vital links between population pressures, reproductive health needs, and environmental sustainability.

Population Action International to Premiere Award-Winning Film - Finding Balance Documents Innovative Approach to Conservation

May 23, 2005
With 90 percent of its forests already destroyed, the need for balance in Madagascar's fragile ecosystem is great. PAI's award-winning film, Finding Balance: Forests and Family Planning in Madagascar, draws attention to the impact of rapid population growth on the country's rural villages and emphasizes the vital links between population pressures, reproductive health needs, and environmental sustainability.

AIDS-Affected Countries Tell U.S. to Keep Its Money

May 13, 2005
More than 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV or AIDS, and another 14,000 people are infected each day – mainly by sexual transmission. The Bush administration claims to have elevated this public health emergency to a top priority, in 2003 pledging to spend US$15 billion over five years to help eliminate the virus. But rather than ensuring the swift and direct disposal of those funds to proven efforts on the ground, the government is tying up its aid in ideological stipulations – and AIDS-affected countries are choosing to go without.

Toward 7 Billion: Why World Population is Still Growing

May 2, 2005
The world's population more than doubled in the last half-century and still is increasing. Absent an unexpected dramatic shift in family size or catastrophic increases in death rates, it could add 2.5 billion people before peaking. Worldwide, the largest group of young people ever is entering their reproductive years, requiring an expansion of family planning services to enable more couples to have the smaller families and later pregnancies they desire. In the long term, this will contribute to individual and family well-being, a slowdown in population growth and sustainable economic development.