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BREAKING NEWS: President Obama Will Work to Renew UNFPA Funding
Global Gag Rule Rescinded
Untitled Document
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CONTACTS
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Susan Cohen, Guttmacher Institute,
(202) 296-4012, extension 4224
Ellie Smeal, Feminist Majority,
(703) 522-2214
Brian Dixon, Population Connection,
(202) 745-3152
Tod Preston, Population Action International,
(202) 557-3400
Sarah Craven,
UNFPA,
(202) 326-8713
Elizabeth Maguire, Ipas,
(919) 967-7052
Cara Hesse, Pathfinder International,
(617) 924-7200,
extension 216
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2009 – President Barack Obama today pledged to work to restore a partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, reversing a Bush administration policy which cut off funding. The President’s announcement came today as he rescinded the global gag rule, paving the way for restored U.S. funding for international non-governmental organizations that provide life-saving family planning services.
“I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the U.N. Population Fund. By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries,” said President Obama.
The global gag rule, or the “Mexico City policy,” is a U.S. policy that requires foreign non-governmental organizations to agree they will not “perform or promote abortion” in exchange for family planning assistance from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Specifically, they may not use their own non-US funds to provide information on request to pregnant women about the option of legal abortion, provide legal abortion services or engage in any abortion-related public policy debates.
The President said, “I have directed my staff to reach out to those on all sides of this issue to achieve the goal of reducing unintended pregnancies. They will also work to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls.”
The reproductive health community believes that the rule harms women by preventing health clinics from providing them life-saving information on all available options and has forced some service providers in underserved areas to close. “In the coming weeks, my Administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world,” the President said.
UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid welcomed President Obama’s decision to restore funding to UNFPA and noted, “how quickly he has addressed this issue. His actions send a strong message about his leadership and his desire to support causes that will promote peace and dignity, equality for women and girls, and economic development in the poorest regions of the world. And, access to reproductive health is at the core of all of these issues," she said.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney hailed President Obama's decision, noting "President Obama is continuing to change course on women’s health. Our goals must be to give women all the options about their reproductive health, save lives, and improve the lives of women and children everywhere. In announcing support for UNFPA funding, President Obama sends a clear and resounding message to women and children around the world: the United States is back on your side."
Americans for UNFPA, Guttmacher Institute, International Center for Research on Women, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, United Nations Foundation and the United Nations Association - USA released statements applauding President Obama's decision to restore U.S. support for UNFPA.
www.PLANetWIRE.org will continue to post updates on developments.
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