For Immediate Release:	December 16, 2002
For More Information:	Kirsten Sherk, Ipas, sherkk@ipas.org, +1 (919) 960-5612
Sponsor Organization:	Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Statement of Valerie DeFillipo, Senior Director of Global Partners and International Initiatives, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
BANGKOK, THAILAND – The message from the Bush administration is loud and clear: Women’s health takes a backseat to the administration’s anti-choice agenda. At a U.N. conference, the administration gave the strongest indication yet that President Bush means to overturn laws that protect reproductive freedom. The Bush administration’s approach to AIDS prevention, family planning and adolescent reproductive health ignores the reality of people’s lives, both in the United States and around the world. They are bent on preaching abstinence instead of teaching medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education. And they displayed their animosity for women when the administration dismissed the tragedy of maternal mortality, suggesting it is not as important a women’s health concern as tuberculosis. The administration’s efforts in Bangkok, which are being led by radical opponents of birth control, should serve as a wake-up call to all women. President Bush has declared war on women around the world and at home in the United States. He will not stop until he turns back the clock to the days before Roe v. Wade. ### 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 women, men and teenagers every year.