Planned Parenthood Alarmed by Trump Administration Actions Threatening UNFPA

NEW YORK, NY – Today the Trump administration put politics over facts – as well as women’s health – when it issued a negative Kemp-Kasten Amendment determination on the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), paving the way to cut U.S. funding to the vital UN agency. While the amendment is intended to prevent coercive reproductive health care practices, a goal all human rights defenders share, it has instead been incorrectly invoked under anti-women’s health presidential administrations to undermine access to voluntary family planning, maternal health and gender equity programs around the world by eliminating U.S. funding to UNFPA. This determination will mean less access to lifesaving care for millions of women and girls globally, and represents a loss of U.S. leadership on human rights.

“I am deeply alarmed by the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration to eliminate all U.S. funding to UNFPA. The administration is once again relying on ‘alternative facts’ to undermine women's access to health care,” said Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Global. “Instead of helping women, extreme politicians are cutting off access to the UN agency that’s best positioned to prevent and reform coercive reproductive health practices. Withdrawing U.S. support will have a devastating impact on UNFPA, and hurts the lives of the women, men, and young people they serve.”

UNFPA is one of the most wide-reaching and vital sources of contraceptive supplies in the world, working in over 150 countries, including over 100 countries where USAID does not have a family planning program. In 2015, they provided reproductive health services to more than 23 million women. The agency supports many of the world's poorest nations to enable couples to voluntarily determine the timing, number and spacing of their children with voluntary birth control; helping women deliver healthy babies and survive delivery; reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; helping curb the frequency of child marriage; and reducing harmful practices such as obstetric fistula and female genital mutilation. UNFPA is also a leading healthcare provider in humanitarian crises, ensuring women and other vulnerable populations receive lifesaving care.

###

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With over 650 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

For more than 40 years Planned Parenthood Federation of America has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world through our international arm, Planned Parenthood Global. In partnership with more than 50 organizations across 12 focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Last year, our partners reached over a million people with sexual and reproductive health information and services provided by our partners. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans.