Standing Strong for a Woman's Right to a Just and Healthy Life

The Obama Administration’s misstep in overturning the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommendation on Plan B emergency contraception caught everyone off guard, primarily because it is in such violation of its own policies on science driving public health.

The FDA yesterday recommended that Plan B One-Step emergency contraception (EC) be available to women of all ages over the counter without a prescription who are at risk for an unplanned pregnancy.  Currently it is only available to those older than 18 even though evidence is that it is safe for those younger than that.  Many believe FDA’s recommendation was going to be an important step forward after the Bush Administration – once again in violation of the FDA’s recommendation – blocked over the counter access to EC.

We thought this kind of politics-trumping-health action was a thing of the past – but evidently that’s not the case.  Even when it is in complete violation of the Administration’s own policy for scientific integrity – which states that “Science and the scientific process must inform and guide decisions of my Administration on a wide range of issues, including improvement of public health, protection of the environment, increased efficiency in the use of energy and other resources, mitigation of the threat of climate change, and protection of national security.  The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions….”

We’d guess that this is more about political pandering to some…but certainly not to women who know prevention is prevention – and that this is their right. And the government has stated a number of times in various policy efforts that contraceptive methods are part of preventive services.  This action continues to limit access for many to this method of preventing an unplanned pregnancy.

Advocates are undertaking several steps to try to get the Administration to undo this wrong – and one easy way you can help is to add your name to this petition asking the Administration to not let politics trump science.

Who knows if we can change this major misstep, but they need to know we think it is simply wrong.

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IWHC is participating in the GlobalGiving Foundation’s Open Challenge – we must raise at least $4,000 from 50 donors by December 31st, which will go to support SWAAC in Cameroon, West Africa.

SWAAC works to promote and distribute female condoms for free. Female condoms are the only woman-controlled method that prevents both HIV and unwanted pregnancy.

“As a young woman, today I know to not always just trust someone who tells me he is faithful, but to be prudent because HIV isn’t written on people’s faces.  I discuss sexuality with my peers and always tell them that before any sexual act that must require that their partner use a condom.  At SWAAC I saw and touched a female condom for the first time.  Today I go out with other peer educators to promote information in the community about HIV prevention.  I am sure of myself because SWAAC taught me not only to work on my self-esteem, but also how to communicate better with my friends.”

– Helene, volunteer for the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa-Cameroon (SWAAC), our long-time partner

If we meet our goal, IWHC will earn a permanent spot on GlobalGiving’s website, where we have the potential to benefit from corporate relationships, exposure to a new donor network, and access to dozens of online fundraising tools.

Will you help IWHC and SWAAC reach the threshold of $4,000 from 50 donors? Please make a donation here today.

Even a small amount can make a big difference – just $10 helps to buy 700 female condoms. Not only will your gift help women in Cameroon but it will help us take advantage of a long-term fundraising opportunity.

This month we’ll be blogging about SWAAC and advocacy around female condoms.

And help us spread the word! Please share this opportunity with your friends and family and encourage them to give to the campaign.

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A partisan showdown over women’s health and rights on Wednesday, October 5 focused on UNFPA during a committee mark up of Rep. Renee Ellmers’ (R-NC) bill to halt all US funding to the agency.  Republican opposition to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is based on opposition to programs to protect health and rights – not as a budget savings measure.  Here’s how we know.  The Democratic minority in the committee offered 10 amendments – each designed to enable continue funding to UNFPA for specific activities.  Each amendment was defeated.  The amendments were to

1. prevent and treat obstetric fistula (Rep. Gerry Connolly – VA) – failed 21-12
2. provide services in disaster situations (Rep. Karen Bass – CA) – failed 21-13
3. provide services to those in vulnerable situations, including water, sanitation and gender based violence (Rep. Donald Payne – NJ) – failed 23-14
4. programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Rep. Donald Payne – NJ) – failed 23-14
5. support safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care (Rep. David Cicilline and Rep. Allyson Schwartz – PA) – failed  22-13
6. prevent female genital mutilation (Rep. David Cicilline – RI) – failed 21-13
7. prevent child marriage (Rep. William Keating – MA) –  failed 20-15
8. support family planning services (Rep. Chris Murphy – CT) –  failed 22-14
9. stop forced and coerced abortions and sterilizations marriage (Rep. William Keating – MA) – failed 22-16
10. support programs in Haiti (Rep. Gregory Meeks – NY) – failed  22-16

IWHC values and appreciates the leadership shown by these champions, as well as by Chairman Howard Berman and others for their statements and actions in support of women’s health and rights.  The State Department, in answer to a question during a press briefing about the House vote, also stood firmly behind UNFPA and its work.

IWHC urges Rep. Ellmers and her supportive colleagues to heed the words of Rev. Rebecca Quimada Sienes, founder of Buhata Pinaythe, a women’s organization in the Phillipines that focused on education, health and safety, livelihoods and political expression.  She and her colleagues continue their work because they know  “it is essential to help poor women have access to health services such as family planning, HIV/AIDS, etc. It is necessary so that they will have better life.”  She wrote to the policymaker, saying “It is very sad to know that you are sponsoring H.R. 2059 blocking USA funding to UNFPA. I believe it is a wrong move for anybody to do this. I urge you Rep Ellmers to withdraw your bill because we, in Asia particularly the Philippines, believe in what the UNFPA is doing to the world’s poorest citizens.  Please hear the call from the 64 & 74 years old women!”

{ 56143 commentshttp://blog.iwhc.org/2011/10/house-undermines-womens-and-girls-health-and-rights-%e2%80%93-again/House+undermines+women%27s+and+girls%27+health+and+rights+%E2%80%93+AGAIN2011-10-18+20%3A56%3A36Ellen+Marshall }

This piece is cross-posted from the IPPF/WHR blog The Bikini.

World Contraception Day (WCD) is a worldwide campaign that promotes a world where every pregnancy is wanted. Its mission is to improve awareness of contraception to enable young people to make informed decisions on sexual and reproductive health. When you are informed and aware of your contraception options, how to use them and where to get them, you are empowered to choose when and if you would like to become pregnant.

Did you know that in Latin America:

• 40% of sexually active young people have had sex without contraception with a new partner
• 23% of young people have had problems obtaining contraception when they needed it as they did not know which method of contraception to look for
• A third of all young women surveyed (30%) and 28% of young men stated that they have been told or obtained inaccurate or untrue information on contraception. 40% of those said the inaccurate information was obtained from friends
• 21% of young women and 18% of young men do not receive sex education at school
• As many as 12% of young people believe that having sex during a woman’s period is an effective form of contraception (14% of young men and 10% of young women). This is an 8% decrease from 2010 (13%)
• Only half of the young people surveyed (53% of young women and 52% of young men) feel very well informed about the different contraceptive options available

We provide contraceptives to our Member Associations across the region so they can run effective programs, but have you ever wondered where all those contraceptives come from and what the process involved to supply them is like? Find out in our blog post about logistics: Special Delivery: 56 million condoms

Chances are, sex ed (if you were lucky enough to have it) didn’t quite answer all of your questions about contraception. Fill in the gaps here: http://www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Contraception/Contraception.htm

Find out more about World Contraception Day here.

And lastly, a video from Your Life:

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After the House made another assault on  women and young people’s health and rights in July, the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday stepped up in response – passing provisions to permanently end the global gag rule, make a $40 million U.S. contribution to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and increase funding for international family planning and reproductive health programs.  These actions taken during markup of the FY 2012 State Department and foreign operations appropriations bill, is in direct opposition to action by the House Appropriations Committee – a set up for a showdown given that completely opposite positions were taken by each chamber.

The amendment to block the global gag rule from being implemented in the future was offered by long-time champion Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NY) mostly on a party-line vote of 18 to 12, with all Democrats except Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and three Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mark Kirk (R-IL)—supporting the amendment.  Lautenberg stated: “The United States is an international leader for women’s rights, and we must rule out any possibility that this dangerous and harmful policy could return.”

The Lautenberg amendment builds the momentum on ending the global gag rule.  Earlier in the week, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the Senate version of the Global Democracy Promotion Act, a bill that is the same language as the amendment offered by Lautenberg, and has a House companion bill introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (NY) with 105 cosponsors so far.  The global gag rule fight is in many ways the international version of the assaults on domestic family planning programs and Planned Parenthood made by Republicans earlier this year.  On introduction of her bill, Boxer notes that

“If the Global Gag Rule were applied in the United States, it would violate the First Amendment because it restricts what organizations can do or say with their own funds. Ending this undemocratic policy is long overdue.”

Another key policy change in the bill is to enable funding for abortion in the cases of life, rape and incest for Peace Corps volunteers serving in developing countries.  This provision brings the Peace Corps in line with the rest of the federal government and creates a consistency in coverage for both Peace Corps volunteers and federal employees.

After the House Appropriations Committee made disproportionately deep cuts to family planning and reproductive health programs compared to other global health program in its bill, the Senate rejected those deep cuts and provided $239 million more than the House bill and $85 million above current funding levels.  This year’s funding levels had already taken disproportionate cuts and so the increases are an effort for parity and to show strong support given the many challenges in a very tough budget climate.

Other global health programs were reduced from the President’s request though still include $595 million for maternal and child health (including efforts on polio, neglected diseases, malaria and TB), $5.6 billion for global HIV/AIDS and $750 million for the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria.

On the domestic front, the Senate Appropriations Committee also passed the FY 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS) eliminating funding for 15 programs totaling more than $230 million and reducing funding for dozens of others.  Title X, the domestic reproductive health program, was funded at the same level as last year – $299.4 million.

The Senate and House bills are not expected to reach the floor for debate in either chamber.  Rather (and not at all how this process is supposed to work)  appropriations bills funding the entirety of the federal government will likely be rolled together into an omnibus or several “minibus” spending bills to be considered later in the year.  Though given the recent challenges on funding bills in the House, it is hard to see exactly how the process will move forward.

So a lot of encouraging action by the Senate this week – though this process is far from over.

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Guest post by Jocelyn Ban, Production and Design Officer at International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR).

Today, September 16th is Mexico’s Independence Day.

As millions around the world celebrate one of the most important days in Mexico, we recognize three heroes from Mexfam, the IPPF/WHR local Member Association in Mexico.  These leaders work day-in and day-out to support the right of every individual in Mexico to make informed—and independent—decisions about their bodies, sex, and reproduction.

In a poor rural village outside of Oaxaca, Rosario (pictured) walks the dusty streets, stopping to talk with women as she makes her rounds. As the local health promoter, she counsels women on contraceptive options and provides supplies to ensure her neighbors can choose when and if they become pregnant. She refers women who need additional sexual and reproductive health care services to Mexfam clinics when necessary. Her neighbors see Rosario as a symbol of hope for a brighter future.

As the sun begins its climb over the streets of San Juan, Mexfam’s seven youth health promoters begin their day.  They travel the streets of the small northern town near the Arizona border, providing sexual and reproductive health information to youth who have dropped out of school.  In an area of Mexico with high rates of unwanted pregnancy, reaching vulnerable youth is critical:   “What we are doing is making a difference,” says one health promoter. “That’s why we keep going.”

In a poor section of Iztapalapa, Mexfam volunteer Andrea, remembers when there wasn’t a reproductive health clinic in her neighborhood. It was then that her 14-year-old daughter delivered a baby without getting medical assistance from the government hospital. “She waited to see a doctor for four hours, having contractions,” Andrea says. “We were both scared. Finally we left and went to a midwife. I volunteer here because we need better service and better treatment if things are ever going to change for the better.”

Today reminds us that progress requires hard work and tremendous courage. Whether defending a country’s right to independence or defending sexual and reproductive rights for all, it is not a solitary endeavor.

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Yesterday in Washington, DC we co-sponsored an event with UNFPA, National Geographic, government agencies and non-governmental organizations  focusing on women and girls as critical engines of change in the new reality of 7 billion people.

In late October 2011, world population will reach 7 billion people. It is critical that we unleash the power of women and girls to alleviate poverty and accelerate progress on all of our global development goals.

Check out this video, featuring Lois Quam, Executive Director, Global Health Initiative, U.S. Department of State; Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development; Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund; Monique Coleman, Actress, High School Musical, and United Nations Youth Champion; Ronan Farrow, Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues, U.S. Department of State; Natalie Imbruglia, Singer, Actress and Ambassador, Virgin Unite; Kakenya Ntaiya, President and Founder, The Kakenya Center for Excellence; and our very own Alexandra Garita, Program Officer, International Policy, International Women’s Health Coalition.

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In the coming weeks, the Senate will be considering several pieces of legislation that the House has already acted on – many of which include provisions that undermine the health and rights of women and young people. Please call and tell your Senators to:

• Support UNFPA: The UN Population Fund is a global partner working with national governments to ensure access to essential reproductive health services including family planning, end harmful traditional practices against women and girls, and protect human rights. Yet, some in Congress have a long-standing opposition to UNFPA’s mission: empowering women and young people. They want to end UNFPA and what it stands for.
• Oppose the Global Gag Rule: Reinstating the policy blocks funds for organizations to provide family planning services if that organization also participates in public debate about or refers patients for abortion services. This policy harms women and lessens the positive impact of investments being made. Different Presidents have gone back and forth imposing and rescinding the policy – and now some in Congress want to put this misguided policy into law, which the Senate should block; and
• Support International Family Planning Funding: Times are tough and budget cuts need to be made – but not on the backs of the world’s poorest people, and not for basic health programs critically needed by women and young people. The House has made huge cuts to family planning programs (25% from FY2011) – disproportionate cuts compared to other global health programs (9% from FY2011).

EVERY VOICE AND VOTE COUNTS. Call the Capitol Switchboard today at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators. Urge them to support UNFPA, oppose the Gag Rule, and support robust funding for international family planning. Let them know you are proud to have the United States as a partner and leader of the global community to support the health and rights of women and young people around the world. Call even if you think they already share your views – they need to hear from you.

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