Invest in Women: Increase Funding for International Family Planning

Dear Members of the House Sub-Committee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs,

I am writing to urge you to increase funding for international family planning assistance to a total of $1 billion in the Fiscal Year 2009 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. I also urge you to appropriate $63.5 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Family planning programs are critical for women's health and equality. Currently, more than 200 million women around the world desire to either delay or end childbearing, but do not have access to modern contraceptives. Each year, more than 500,000 women worldwide die during pregnancy or childbirth. Tragically, nearly of all these deaths could have been prevented. Women who can time their pregnancies have greater opportunities for education and employment, and can more actively contribute to their families' well-being.

Historically, family planning programs have been cost-efficient and highly successful. According to a study by UNFPA, every $1 invested in family planning could save up to $31 in government spending on education, food, health, housing, water and sewage services.

Since 2001, US funding for family planning assistance abroad has stagnated at approximately $450 million. Now is the time to make a real investment in family planning, and in the lives of women and their families around the world. For every additional $100 million provided for family planning abroad, another 3.6 million women will be able to access contraception. Countless unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal and child deaths will be prevented and the standard of living for women, as well as their families, communities, and countries will rise.

Please increase funding to $1 billion for international family planning assistance in the Fiscal Year 2009 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.

Thank you.