US Policy and Global Women's Health

The advancement of women is not possible without investments in their reproductive health care and a commitment to education of the girls as well as the boys. Many countries simply lack the resources to make a dent in these challenges. UNFPA's, the largest multilateral source of assistance for women's health, has proven effective at combating some of the most world's most intractable health problems.

For example, we can't expect to reduce maternal mortality without elevating the value of women in a society when there is the opinion that it is easier and cheaper to get a new wife than to save the one who is hemorrhaging. And one proven way to elevate the status of women is to promote the education of girls. But it is hard to encourage girls to go to school if the norm is to marry and begin having children. Given the complexity of the issue, UNFPA provides programs to reduce gender-based violence, to promote girls access to education and to provide economic opportunities.

But UNFPA is hindered by Bush Administration policies, including an annual withholding of funds to UNFPA. Like all UN agencies, UNFPA is funded by voluntary contributions from countries all over the world. The United States is the only country in the world that has ever declined to give for reasons that are political rather than financial, depriving UNFPA of millions of dollars that could go toward solutions.