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September-16-11
Congresswoman Advocates for International Family Planning
On Thursday, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) wrote an article for
Impact Magazine detailing the importance of international family planning as a means of
US foreign assistance. The article sheds light on the ways in which Lowey has used her time in office as a
platform for reproductive health issues, despite continued opposition from the Republican majority.
In the article, Lowey maintains that women in developing countries have benefited from reproductive
health provisions and aid from the U.S. "Women and families across the developing world are healthier
and stronger and societies more stable as a result of access to basic health services," Lowey said.
According to statistics gathered by the Guttmacher Institute, 610,000 women and couples receive
contraceptive services and supplies for every US$10 million invested in international family planning
and reproductive health. These funds are also attributed to 190,000 fewer unintended pregnancies
and 83,000 avoided abortions. The U.S. Council on Foreign Relations has stated that drastic cuts to
international family planning were considered for the 2011 fiscal year, but ultimately avoided.
Media Resources: Impact Magazine 9/15/11; Guttmacher Institute 5/13/11; Council on Foreign Relations 4/28/11
