NCJW Denounces US Denial of UNFPA Funding
September 19, 2005, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has denounced President Bush's decision to once again withhold money appropriated by Congress to assist the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in its important work. NCJW President Phyllis Snyder released the following statement:
"The decision by President Bush to again withhold the US contribution to the UNFPA is a disgraceful abuse of executive power. The allegation that UNFPA promotes or condones forced sterilization and abortion in China has been thoroughly discredited by the State Department's own investigation. In fact the reverse is true: UNFPA has worked to influence Chinese policy and to demonstrate that a client-driven system is superior to one that sets national population targets. NCJW, as part of an interfaith mission to China in 2003, was an eyewitness to the inroads on Chinese population policy being made by UNFPA.
"One hundred sixty-six nations donate to UNFPA. One hundred forty-six countries and territories receive help. According to UNFPA, the $34 million withheld by the US this year would have prevented up to 2 million unwanted pregnancies and 4,700 maternal deaths in developing countries. Since 2002, the administration has withheld a total of $127 million already appropriated by Congress. The US is the only country to deny funding to UNFPA for policy reasons during the agency's 36-year history.
"Coming as it does on the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the ban is a powerful symbol of disregard for the UN's humanitarian work. It is long past time to get UNFPA funding out of the category of political favors to the extreme right wing and restore it to its rightful place as a tool designed to improve women's lives and reduce poverty."
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.
Contact:
Rebecca Cole
212 645 4048 x182; rcole@ncjw.org