PHA-Exch> UNFPA APPLAUDS US PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel at gmail.com>
crossposted from: "[health-vn discussion group]" <health-vn at cairo.anu.edu.au
>

From: UNNews <UNNews at un.org>

UN AGENCY APPLAUDS US PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO RESUME FUNDING
New York, Jan 24 2009 12:00PM
The United Nation's Population Fund (UNFPA) has lauded President Barack
Obama's decision to restore United States funding for its operations,
hailing the new leader for his efforts to advance women's health, rights and
equality.

Yesterday, Mr. Obama said that by resuming US support for UNFPA, his country
will be joining 180 other donor nations in working towards slashing poverty,
boosting the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide
family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.

"The President's actions send a strong message about his leadership and his
desire to support causes that will promote peace and dignity, equality for
women and girls and economic development in the poorest regions of the
world," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director.

US support totaling nearly $250 million has been withheld for the past seven
years.

"President Obama's decisi
on could not have come at a more critical time," said Ms. Obaid. "If women
are to stop dying in childbirth and if reproductive health for all is to
become a reality, we need increased political and financial commitment at
all levels to implement strategies that we know will work. With the renewed
US support to women and to UNFPA, the odds of that happening are greatly
improved."

The rate of death from pregnancy and childbirth -- 99 per cent of which
occur in developing countries -- has fallen just one per cent between 1990
and 2005 around the world. Every minute, a woman dies giving life, totaling
up to 10 million women during a generation.

Mr. Obama's decisions "is an essential step towards creating a world where
all women have the opportunity to participate as equal members of society,"
the Executive Director noted.

________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
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