For Immediate Release:	July 17, 2008
For More Information:	Deni Robey, Americans for UNFPA, 646-526-5321
Sponsor Organization:	Americans for UNFPA
Major Step Forward in Addressing the Family Planning Needs of Millions of Women and Couples Around the World
New York, NY, July 18, 2008 — The House Appropriations Subcommittee on state, foreign operations Wednesday moved toward restoring U.S. leadership to international women’s issues when it voted to increase U.S. funding for UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, to $60 million for FY 2009, a $20 million increase over last year’s allocation. “By increasing the U.S. contribution allocated to UNFPA, Chairwoman Lowey and the members of the foreign operations subcommittee recognized the importance of U.S. participation in UNFPA’s solutions to some of the world’s most intractable problems. Moreover, they began the process of paying back the $235 million Congress has allocated but the Bush Administration withheld for the last seven years,” said Anika Rahman, president of Americans for UNFPA. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday passed a foreign operations bill with a $45 million allocation to UNFPA, a more modest increase than the House bill, but a sign that members of Congress are serious about the importance of U.S. involvement with UNFPA. “Investing in women means investing in families, communities, and nations,” said Rahman. “Around the world, when women’s economic and political participation in society increases, the result for the country is reduced poverty and faster economic growth. “Whether we are looking at it from a human rights, political or economic point of view, the conclusion is the same: It makes sense to invest in women,” said Rahman. UNFPA provides women’s health care and promotes the rights of women in 150 countries around the world. It is the largest international source of such assistance. UNFPA’s work has significantly reduced maternal mortality in countries such as Bolivia, Egypt and Zimbabwe, provides 500 million women with modern contraceptive methods annually and works to combat gender-based violence around the world. For the last seven years, the U.S. has been the only country in the world that did not contribute to UNFPA for reasons that are political and not financial. ### 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. To learn more about Americans for UNFPA visit http://www.americansforunfpa.org.