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Women CEOs in U.S. Speak out for Women’s Health and Rights GloballyFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mar. 1, 2011 CONTACT: Eva Cantrell, Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), ecantrell@cedpa.org, (202) 667-1142 Women CEOs in U.S. Speak out for Women’s Health and Rights Globally More than Thirty Women NGO Leaders Tell Congress to Keep Commitments to International Women’s Health Washington, Mar. 1, 2010—More than 30 women leaders of development, health and human rights organizations today sent a letter to Congress urging senators to keep the United States’ commitments to international women’s health and rights amidst the current scrutiny of the foreign assistance budget. The letter, spearheaded by Washington, D.C.-based nongovernmental organizations the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), marks the first time women NGO executives have united to support continued foreign assistance for women’s health and rights abroad. The letter specifically calls for support of HIV and AIDS and reproductive health, which includes family planning and maternal health. The letter notes that, “The House of Representatives has proposed cuts to the foreign assistance budget for the remainder of FY11 that would result in serious setbacks to the advancement of global women’s health and rights, and in turn, to global economic development overall. As women leading organizations that promote economic development, health and human rights globally, we are writing to ask for your commitment to protect and prioritize foreign assistance dollars that support the well-being, rights, and empowerment of women and girls.” The letter is critical as Congress debates a budget extension for the remainder of FY 2011 and considers funding for FY 2012, noted Serra Sippel, president of CHANGE. “Foreign assistance has already been singled out by the House of Representatives as a target for cuts,” Sippel said. “Now we are asking senators to consider the enormous amount of good the United States has been able to accomplish with such a small portion of the budget, and to remember that it sets this nation apart. We’re also asking each member to approach women’s global health holistically and not pit funding streams for family planning, maternal health and HIV and AIDS against each other. Right now, members have the opportunity to define their service in the 112th Congress by keeping women and girls healthy and alive through continued support and funding.” In addition to Sippel and Carol Peasley of CEDPA, signatories include Helene Gayle of CARE USA, Pamela Barnes of EngenderHealth, Ruth Messinger of American Jewish World Service, Nancy Northup of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Sarah Kambou of the International Center for Research on Women, and Marcia Greenberger of the National Women’s Law Center. About the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) CEDPA works through local partnerships to give women tools to improve their lives, families and communities. CEDPA’s programs increase educational opportunities for girls, ensure access to lifesaving reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services, and strengthen women’s leadership in their nations. With a growing network of more than 5,300 alumni and partners in over 150 countries, CEDPA is building a groundswell of change agents for effective international development. For more information, go to www.cedpa.org. -30- Complete List of Signatories Pamela W. Barnes Carmen Barroso Kelly Blanchard Paula Boland Kathy Bonk Elizabeth Clark Diana DuBois Suzanne Ehlers Helene D. Gayle Sharon Gelman Adrienne Germain Marcia Greenberger Rev. Debra W. Haffner Catherine Hanssens Susan W. Hayes Eleanor Hinton Hoytt Avis Jones-DeWeever Sarah Degnan Kambou Melanie Macdonald Elizabeth Maguire Ruth Messinger Judy Norsigian Nancy Northup Carol Peasley Cecile Richards Ritu Sharma Theresa Shaver Jill Sheffield Serra Sippel Ann Starrs Beverly Winikoff Leslie R. Wolfe |
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