For Immediate Release:	February 13, 2004
For More Information:	Afshin Mohamadi, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Afshin.Mohamadi@mail.house.gov, 202-225-7944
Sponsor Organization:	Office of Rep. Carolyn Maloney
SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO WITHHOLD UNFPA FUNDING, MEMBERS ASK TO USE IT TO COMBAT OBSTETRIC FISTULA
WASHINGTON, DC - To end the blockade on U.S. funding that would help save women's lives around the world, Rep Maloney (NY-14), co-sponsors Rep. Edolphus Towns (NY-10) and Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18), along with 23 other Members of Congress, introduced legislation yesterday (HR 3810) that would mandate $34 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) strictly to prevent, treat, and repair obstetric fistula, a horrific and debilitating condition found predominantly in Africa (www.unfpa.org/fistula/index.htm). In 2002, the Bush Administration de-funded UNFPA - an organization that has launched a global campaign to end fistula and works in 140 countries around the world. This new bill aims to strike a compromise with the Administration and bring an end to the U.S.'s refusal to fund an organization that helps save the lives of women and their babies. "It's hard to believe that there are women in this world suffering from a gruesome 19th century condition here in the 21st century," said Maloney. "What's even harder to believe is that the Administration has not put ending this condition on their priority list. They advocate 'compassion' and aid to Africa, but their actions belie a far different reality "Congress can repair this international aid failure by passing this bill." "This country must bring forth the resources to assist international efforts to promote health care in the developing world," Rep. Edolphus Towns (NY-10). "We must not turn away from women who have this serious but reparable injury." "As a woman legislator and a mother, I realize that becoming an original cosponsor of the 'Repairing Young Women's Lives Around the World Act' is only the first step we can take to eliminate the cruel and debilitating condition of obstetric fistula," said Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18). "Obstetric fistula is entirely preventable, but poor nations in Africa lack the sufficient funds and education to adequately address the situation. Left untreated, women with obstetric fistula will face a slow, premature death from infection or kidney failure. I stand by my colleagues who see obstetric fistula as a top international priority and call on the Administration to see this through Congress. The United States must use its international prestige and resources for a source of healing, and this is their opportunity." Maloney's bill would direct a voluntary $34 million contribution to UNFPA strictly for prevention, treatment, and repair of obstetric fistula. The Bush Administration has withheld funding to UNFPA since 2002 because of what it claimed was support of forced abortions and sterilizations - claims that were debunked by the Administration's own fact-finding team. Two million women worldwide, many of which are in Africa, suffer from obstetric fistula. It is a disease brought on during labor without medical attention that leads to infant mortality, and serious urinary and bowel problems for the mother. Fistula is easily prevented with proper obstetric care during pregnancy and was eradicated from the United States long ago, yet it still afflicts women - particularly young women between the ages of 15 and 19 - in the poorest of nations. Earlier this year, UNFPA and EngenderHealth released a report, Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment: Findings from Nine African Countries. This study examined hospitals in Africa, and their ability to treat cases of fistula and found that many additional resources are needed for adequate fistula care. ###