Trump Budget Continues Attack on Women With Proposed Cuts to International Family Planning Funds

Yesterday the Trump administration unveiled an overview of its Fiscal Year 2018 Budget. In addition to singling out Planned Parenthood for the first time in history, it also eliminates funding for international family planning programs.

Statement by Latanya Mapp Frett, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Global

The Trump administration may pay lip service to women’s rights – but this budget lays bare a potentially deadly agenda. Broad cuts to global health already disproportionately harm women and children, but the budget’s singling out and proposed elimination of $600 million in family planning funds, which would avert an estimated 15,000 maternal deaths a year, represent a particularly savage and direct attack on the world’s most vulnerable women and girls. Passing this budget would also undermine the national security of the American people, since investments in global health, including women’s health and livelihood, increase economic opportunity, peace and stability in key regions around the world. We should be doing more, not less, to deal with challenges abroad before they affect our security and prosperity at home.

###

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 approximately 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.