(This is better late than never to be posted)

July 22, 2002


Bush Cancels United Nations Funds
World's Poorest Women Fall Victim to Anti-Choice Politics

Washington, DC — "President Bush's anti-choice agenda continues to
expand beyond America's borders, jeopardizing the lives of the
world's poorest and most vulnerable women," stated NARAL Executive
Vice President Mary Jane Gallagher. "Today, almost seven months after
freezing $34 million in U.N. family-planning funds, the President
caved to the demands of his most anti-choice political base and
cancelled the appropriation altogether," added Gallagher.

"While this administration professes to care about the health and
lives of women here and abroad, today's action is in blatant
disregard for women's health and safety."

Contrary to those who mischaracterize UNFPA, the program does not
fund abortions. Instead, it provides voluntary reproductive health
care and family planning services to the world's poorest citizens. A
recent report to the State Department confirmed this and found no
evidence of coercive abortion tactics and recommended releasing the
entire $34 million.

"Ironically, opponents of UNFPA claim their goal is to reduce
abortion. Yet, it is estimated that the lack of funds will result in
over 1 million abortions from over 3 million unintended pregnancies,"
Gallagher added.

Background: The United Nations Population Fund is the largest
internationally funded source of population assistance to developing
countries. Over the past 30 years, UNFPA has provided more than $4.3
billion in assistance to over 160 countries. The loss of this funding
accounts for 13 percent of UNFPA's total budget and will cause the
United Nations to cut vital health programs across the globe.

CONTACT: Jody Frisch at (202) 973-3032.
From:
http://www.naral.org/mediaresources/press/2002/pr072202_unfpa.html


My Comments:

This is a major blow not only to the Abortion and Pro Choice
advocates but Women's Health in general. If these women are denied
the right to contraceptives then they are doomed to illegal abortions
(by un professional practitioners), motality/morbidiy from the
procedures and over population which in the long run will cuase the
cycle of impoverishment and poor healh to increase in disportionate
amounts in these countries.

We all know that OBC's have other health benefits for these women
(all women) besides contraception, it's a medical reality! Why are we
allowing this type of dominance to occur? Is it in the name of
telling an other human being whats right for them? I think it is a
shame that we allow our leaders to dictate whats right for an other
person much less a whole section of the world which we are not
actually the rulers of, LOL! It is not a matter of it is an abortion
right , but who is in control and as a male I know that men have been
in control of Women's health for to long!