The Quadrangle

Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: News

Millions of women around the world depend on the basic services made possible by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), but for the third year in a row, the US has cut off funding for this program, which provides life saving information and services. The UNFPA is the largest multilateral source of population assistance, and since its inception in 1969 it has provided substantial assistance to countries around the world.

Although Congress set $34 million aside for the program, the US denied funding for UNFPA. The money appropriated by Congress could have prevented 2 million unwanted pregnancies, 800,000 abortions, and 77,000 child and infant deaths worldwide. JoAnn Smith, president and CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York State says, "Our government should be ashamed. The US failure to fulfill its promise to women and children continues to have devastating effects worldwide." In 2001, President Bush signed a global gag rule, which discontinued funding to foreign non-governmental organizations that provide abortion services, counseling on pregnancy options, refer patients to abortion clinics, or lobby their governments for abortion services, even if this is done with the organization's own money. This gag rule prevents health clinics around the world from bringing vital health care services to impoverished countries. These clinics are, for many around the world, the only source of medical attention available. Twenty million babies are born with a low birth weight each year, which is due in part to poor maternal health and nutrition, and at least 30 to 40 percent of infant deaths are the result of inadequate care pregnancy and delivery. These deaths could easily be avoided with improved health care, nutrition, and after birth care.

More than 515,000 women die during pregnancy or childbirth each year, and 98% of those women live in developing countries. It is estimated that 120 million women in developing countries worldwide would like to plan their families, but cannot due to lack of contraception.

Smith recently traveled to Brussels to affirm the organization's commitment to both UNFPA and the Cairo Consensus. The 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo, led to the joining of 179 nations in a global commitment to support and expand access to family planning, as well as reproductive education and health care. According to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA, the Cairo Consensus was "a turning point in development thinking for it put the focus where it should be-on improving the quality of life of all people no matter where they happen to be born and whether they are women or men." The Cairo Consensus was designed with reduce poverty and improve healthcare on a worldwide scale; however, this is the third year in a row that the US has cut off funding for UNFPA. The lack of participation in the Cairo Consensus has led to many women in underdeveloped countries losing their only source of health care. While in Brussels, Smith presented a resolution to affirm a strong commitment to the Cairo Consensus, and it passed unanimously by Family Planning Advocate's Board of Directors.

The 10th anniversary of the Cairo Consensus was commemorated on October 14 by the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The Assembly heard statements from various countries reaffirming their commitment and support for the program, sharing experiences with how the Cairo Consensus has helped their country.

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