For Immediate Release:	July 22, 2002
For More Information:	John Brennan, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 202-557-2978 Colleen McCabe, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 212-261-4729
Sponsor Organization:	Planned Parenthood Federation of America
The following is a statement of Gloria Feldt, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON, July 22 President Bush's decision to de-fund the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is further evidence that his alleged support for women's rights is shallow and insincere. This administration has consistently denied women access to life-saving reproductive health services, like birth control, check ups and HIV education and prevention. International family planning assistance is the most crucial and cost-effective health intervention for women and their families, and yet this administration is willing to use it as a political toy. We call on President Bush to honor the rights of women, value their lives and support the live-saving programs sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA program in China has been reviewed by 145 diplomats on 60 separate occasions in the last three years. The United States has monitored the program continually during the same time period, never once finding human rights violations. In fact, the government has praised the program for improving the status of human rights in the countries where it works. ------ Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's largest and most trusted voluntary reproductive health care organization. Planned Parenthood affiliates serve nearly five million men, women and teenagers every year.