January 15, 2002

 

Mr. Andrew Card

Chief of Staff

The White House

VIA FACSIMILE: 202-456-1907

 

Dear Mr. Card:

 

On behalf of Catholics for Contraception, a network of Catholics in all 50 states, I strongly urge the White House to fully fund the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at $34 million for fiscal year (FY) 2002, as appropriated by Congress with bipartisan support last month.  As Catholics, we believe that access to contraceptive choice reduces the need for abortion, improves the health and well-being of women and families, and lowers the transmission rate of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS—goals that are shared by the administration.  Denying funds to UNFPA, which administers effective family planning programs in developing countries, would undermine these goals and result in numerous deaths throughout the developing world. 

 

More than a half million women die each year due to pregnancy-related complications, 90% of which occur in developing countries.  Additionally, about 80 million pregnancies are reported to be unwanted or poorly timed.  It is widely known that avoiding unwanted pregnancy through education about and access to family planning reduces maternal mortality.  The UN Population Fund has been critical in administering voluntary reproductive health services in developing nations, thereby improving women’s health and saving thousands of lives each year. 

 

Many times this year the administration has recognized the importance of and pledged its support for UNFPA programs.  In May 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell testified before Congress in support of US funding for UNFPA, noting its special role in delivering life-saving development assistance overseas.  Although we are unalterably opposed to any element of coercion in reproductive health services, including the provision of abortion services, the State Department’s 2001 Human Rights Report on China independently documented the positive impact of UNFPA’s program in China and found that UNFPA was successful in educating the population about family planning and lessening the restrictions of China’s one-child policy.  Finally, the administration just weeks ago awarded UNFPA an additional $600,000 to support its humanitarian relief programs that include the provision of sanitary supplies and emergency infant delivery kits for Afghan women refugees. 

 

Catholic people understand the importance that access to contraception plays in maintaining women’s health and responsible family planning.  That is why 96% of US Catholic women who have ever had sex have used modern contraceptive methods.  In addition, nearly three-quarters

(73.5%) of sexually active Catholic women who attend church once a week or more use contraception.  Furthermore, 79% of Catholics support US funding for international family planning programs, such as those administered by UNFPA. 

 

I urge the administration to honor its commitment to funding life-saving international family planning programs by providing $34 million for the UN Population Fund. 

 

Sincerely,

Frances Kissling

For Catholics for Contraception