For Immediate Release:	July 16, 2004
For More Information:	Erin Carmany, Feminist Majority, (703) 522-2214
Sponsor Organization:	The Feminist Majority
Statement by Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority, on President Bush's Decision to Withhold Funding for UNFPA
"Today, the President once again chose ideology over women's health and rights by denying funding to UNFPA, UN Population Fund. This decision means that for the third year in a row, women in nearly 140 countries around the world will pay a price for the president's decision to appeal to his domestic base. This decision could have prevented up to 2 million unwanted pregnancies, 800,000 induced abortions and 4,700 maternal deaths, as well as 77,000 infant and child deaths annually. The Feminist Majority strongly denounces the president's decision to withhold UNFPA funding. UNFPA's lifesaving programs provide safe motherhood, family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention services for women and their families in nearly 140 poor countries around the world."