Susan Molinari: “Family planning has clearly proven to save the lives of women and infants. Sadly, 1,600 women die every day, 1 woman…”

“Family planning has clearly proven to save the lives of women and infants. Sadly, 1,600 women die every day, 1 woman every minute, of pregnancy-related causes because they do not have access to reproductive health services, including family planning. Nearly half of the women today who die from maternity-related causes would still be alive today if they could have prevented unwanted pregnancy in the first place. Nearly all would be saved if they had access to reproductive health care. By giving women the access to health services they so desperately need during their childbearing years, we will help prevent thousands of maternal deaths. The World Bank estimates improved access to family planning can reduce the number of maternal deaths that occur annually by 20 percent. In addition to that, family planning programs have also helped stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Access to contraception is not only crucial in avoiding unwanted pregnancies but in fighting the spread of the ever-growing HIV virus, and we all know these sexually transmitted diseases do not stay within borders and impose immense risk to the overall population. To delay the release of funds until July will result in increased abortions, unintended pregnancies, the further spread of AIDS, and the deaths of thousands of women. Seventeen of the 95 programs will have to be shut down, denying millions of women access to effective contraceptive services.”