Planned Parenthood Global

Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. For 40 years, we have been working overseas to ensure that women, men, and young people in some of the world’s most neglected areas have access to the health care they need to control their bodies and their futures. By partnering with local advocates, medical service providers, and youth leaders and helping to build sustainable networks and organizations, we find innovative ways to help ensure the delivery of critical services and fight for more inclusive laws and policies.

World Leaders Commit to Family Planning

On July 11, 2012, representatives of different nations, private foundations, UN agencies and international nongovernmental organizations will convene at the London Summit on Family Planning to pledge commitments to family planning. Hosted by the UK government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the meeting aims to increase access to contraception for 120 million women living in the world’s poorest countries by 2020. Leaders of developing countries have responded to the call for tangible commitments to women’s health. Ethiopia, Malawi and Bangladesh are among those that have put forth strong pledges. India’s commitment includes achieving universal free access to family planning. Such strong commitments from financial strained countries demonstrates their recognition of the importance of investments in family planning to achieve development goals. The U.S. remains a global leader in support for women’s health, despite relentless attempts from opponents of women’s health in Congress to slash funding for family planning at home and abroad. For our part, Planned Parenthood Federation of America pledges to reach two million more women in the U.S. and one million more overseas through programs supported by Planned Parenthood Global. What do we mean when we say “reach”? Click here to read a sampling of real life stories of those affected by our programs.

Planned Parenthood Opposes China’s One-Child Policy

Horrifying reports of a woman forced to have an abortion draw attention yet again to the dangers of China’s one-child policy. Authorities have apparently apologized to the victim and suspended those responsible for violating her rights, but far greater action is needed.  Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) opposes coercive and inhumane reproductive policies and practices, including China’s one-child policy and the illegal practices of forced abortion and coerced birth control reported in some localities.  We believe in reproductive self-determination and we advocate for public policies that guarantee these rights and ensure access to safe and legal services.  For more on the issue, read PPFA’s statement in support of Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng; and  Director of Global Advocacy Chloe Cooney’s RH Reality Check piece on the need to empower women in China.

TELL CONGRESS HEALTH HAS NO BORDERS

Check out Planned Parenthood Global’s new animated video Health Has No Borders narrated by TV’s Connie Britton of Friday Night Lights! In under two minutes, the video answers the question “Why should I care about international family planning?” and makes important connections between U.S. citizens and support for programs overseas.

PROTECT U.S. FOREIGN AID FOR BIRTH CONTROL

Opponents of birth control don’t just want to limit access in the U.S., they want to slash U.S. support for international family planning programs. It’s a perennial debate, and it’s about to start all over again. President Obama’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 budget, which he submitted three weeks ago, demonstrates the value the administration places on family planning. Despite near across-the-board cuts, funding for international family planning programs is preserved, a move that no doubt takes into account the disproportionate cuts family planning has faced in the last two budget cycles. Evidence shows that when women have access to family planning, unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, and maternal deaths all decrease. Yet opponents of birth control continue to take every opportunity to dismantle family planning programs at home and abroad. For more on the debate, read PPFA Director of Global Advocacy Chloe Cooney’s piece on RHReality Check laying out just how important it is that Congress protect U.S. foreign aid for birth control.