United States investments in maternal, reproductive and sexual health programs have been a tremendous success but challenges remain, which the sexual and reproductive health community must help overcome.
Miracles are not free. They cost eight cents a day, the average cost to each American citizen for the UScontribution to saving lives among the world’s poorest, about one-fifth of one percent of the US government budget. Some people say eight cents is too much.
Concern for women’s rights among many conservatives extends only as far as it can be used against our enemies.
Paul Farmer has shown that with commitment and smart use of resources, international development programs can work–can change lives and make human rights into human realities.
The Australian Government recently made a monumental decision to resume the use of its foreign aid funding for the provision of abortion services and information.
The impact of repealing the global gag rule will be significant. But repealing the gag rule will not end the longstanding ban on foreign aid for safe abortion care.
President Obama and the new Congress can place American foreign policy firmly on the side of women’s health, and we can do it quickly, simply, without a penny of cost to the taxpayers. Just repeal the “Global Gag Rule.”
The Australian Agency for International Development is considering lifting a ban on foreign aid funding for abortion services, a proposal which has sparked significant divisive debate across the political spectrum.
To truly strengthen international development, President-elect Obama and the new Congress need to de-politicize foreign aid and focus on improving impact on the ground.
People around the world are confident that President-Elect Obama marks a sweeping departure from the Bush with-us-or-against-us foreign policy. But will the new administration join the global community on reproductive health and rights?
