For Immediate Release:	March 6, 2008
For More Information:	Angeline Martyn, Americans for UNFPA, 617-308-7142 (cell) or 646-649-9127
Sponsor Organization:	Americans for UNFPA
Activists from across the United States visit Capitol Hill to call for increased political will and financial commitment to end maternal death.
Washington, DC- March 6, 2008 – On Thursday, March 6th, in celebration of International Women’s Day, activists from across the United States visit Capitol Hill to call for increased political will and financial commitment to end maternal death. Every minute somewhere in the world a women dies in pregnancy and childbirth and almost all of these deaths are preventable. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the largest international source of assistance working toward safe motherhood. UNFPA has identified three solutions to ensure safe motherhood: All women who want it have access to modern contraception All pregnant women have access to skilled birth attendants All pregnant women have timely access to emergency obstetric care The United States is the only country in the world to withhold funds from UNFPA and its safe motherhood programs for reasons that are political, not financial. Activists are approaching Senators and Representatives for International Woman’s Day to ask for the following commitments: Co-Sponsorship of the Resolution Reducing Maternal Mortality both at home and abroad (HRES.1022) introduced by Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) on Wednesday, March 5th. Co-Sponsorship of The UNFPA Restoration Act of 2008 (S.2682) introduced by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) on Friday, February 29th. Support of a $63.5 million allocation to UNFPA in the State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill in FY2009. Additionally, from the first session of the 110 Congress, Americans for UNFPA supports: The UNFPA Women’s Health and Dignity Act (H.2604) introduced by Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY) The Repairing Young Women's Lives Around the World Act H. R. (H.2114) introduced by Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) “In the last twenty years, 10 million women’s lives have been lost in pregnancy and childbirth. In the next twenty years, we want the United States to be a leader in international efforts to significantly reduce maternal death,” says Anika Rahman, President, Americans for UNFPA. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, provides women's health care and promotes the rights of women around the world. Americans for UNFPA is dedicated to building American support for the work of UNFPA and to restoring the United States' moral, political and financial contribution to the organization.