Please take the time to read the attached PDF, it lists many of the key policy decisions with regards to reproductive health enacted under the Bush administration.
These policies directly, or indirectly, affect the status of women globally.
This is an extremely important time for the rights of women, left undefended, the consequences will be profound and real for generations to come.
To lobby the new Conservative Prime Minister now in office within Canada, and ensure the rights of women within these borders please send your e-mails to :
Prime Minister’s office -
e-mail to pm@pm.qc.ca
or:
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
K1A 0A2
..or if you're fond of deaf ears - president@whitehouse.gov
Key Points...
International –
Global Gag Rule –
In late August 2003, President Bush expanded his notorious policy on International family-planning programs, known as the global gag rule. This policy forces overseas health clinics to agree not to use their own, non-US funds to provide or counsel patients about abortion, or to take a public pro-choice position. Previously, the gag rule applied only to groups that receive grants from the US Agency for International Development’s family-planning program. Under the new expansion, the policy is imposed on the entire State Department budget – over $8 billion.
The gag rule has cut off shipments of USAID-donated supplies to 16 developing countries, because the only recipients in those countries were members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation which lost over $20 million in USAID funds because it refused to comply with the policy. Condoms procured with HIV/AIDS funds are not subject to the rule, but critics of the rule say that, in practice, organizations that refused to sign the rule have not been able to get funds earmarked for HIV/AIDS prevention. Hillary Fyfe, chair of the Family Life Movement of Zambia, asserts, "I think they are killing these women, just as if they are pointing a gun and shooting. There is no difference."
Blocked funds to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) –
The White House announced it plans to withhold $50 million appropriated by Congress for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA provides reproductive-health care, including family-planning services, to the world’s poorest women, and specializes in caring for refugees and addressing other crises. Conservative extremists claim that UNFPA supports China’s coercive abortion and sterilization programs, although a State Department investigative panel convened by Bush last year reported that there was no evidence to support this. UNFPA estimates the lost funds will translate to 2 million unintended pregnancies, 800,000 abortions, 4,700 maternal deaths, 66,000 cases of serious maternal illness, and 77,000 deaths of children under five.
US -
Impending Supreme Court Battle Over Roe v. Wade
http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/Bush-Congress-Actions.pdf


0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home