The United States has been a leader in international family planning assistance since the 1960s, yet over the past 13 years, funding for these crucial programs has actually decreased almost 40 percent.  We need $1 billion for international family planning now to save young women’s lives and support young people in their decisions to plan the size and spacing of their families. 

For young women ages 15 to 19 in low and middle income countries, complications from pregnancy are the leading cause of death.  Access to family planning services and commodities such as male and female condoms are critical to saving these young women’s lives and allowing them to plan their pregnancies.  Email your Representatives now to tell them to request $1 billion for international family planning!

U.S. funding began to decrease in real terms (accounting for inflation) 13 years ago.  At the same time the world was in the middle of experiencing the growth of its largest adolescent population in human history.  Today, the world is home to over 3 billion young people under the age of 25, including 1.5 billion adolescents between the ages of 10 and 25. 

In dire economic times, shouldn’t foreign aid go to where it can help most? Experts estimate that contraceptive access could prevent up to 35 percent of all maternal deaths.  Further, studies show that when contraceptive use increases, women and babies are less likely to die during childbirth.  Worldwide there is a tremendous unmet need for family planning, especially among young people.  Over 200 million women have no access to modern, effective contraception.  Furthermore, experts believe that worldwide, young people are half as likely as adults to have access to the contraceptive supplies and services they need.  Take action NOW to save young people’s lives by emailing your Representatives to request their support for $1 billion for international family planning.