Recently, President Bush submitted a $3.1 trillion budget request to Congress for 2009. Unfortunately the
amount he allocated for family planning within that budget, $470m, falls drastically short of the need.

The graph to the left illustrates just how low the funding level really is. The allocation requested for international affairs in 2009 is a mere 1.27% of the $3.1 trillion total, and within that only 16% is for global health, of which 5% is for family planning.

Click here to contact the 2008 presidential candidates and ask them to support the right to family planning!

More than 200 million women of reproductive age around the world have no access to contraceptives, and studies show that the fair US share of the total funding necessary to meet their needs is $1B, a modest $530m increase from last year's level.

Each year, more than 500,000 women around the world die during pregnancy and childbirth.  One in five women seeks an abortion because she lacks access to modern contraceptive methods.  Approximately 68,000 women die each year as a result of unsafe abortions; and 5.3 million women are injured. $1 billion for family planning programs will have a significant impact in developing countries, where improved access to education, information and health care will save millions of lives.

Click here to ask the candidates to call for a total investment of $1 billion for voluntary family planning programs and services for 2009.

Act now to make your voice heard!

Learn how our partner in Bolivia provides critical services for street youth 

As people under 25 represent more than half of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean, IPPF/WHR is acting at a crucial moment to reduce teenage pregnancy and HIV rates, and to help shape young leaders in this influential generation.

Our partners have reached some of the most vulnerable young people in the region. But we need your help.

In Peru, Guatemala, and Bolivia, IPPF/WHR’s Member Associations are partnering with street youth to ensure their access to reproductive health services and to empower them to make informed decision about their wellbeing. 
 
Help us to continue empowering young people - support our work with Street Youth in Peru, Guatemala and Bolivia.
 
Since its inception, this project has brought education and clinical services to more than 40,000 young people, 35,000 condoms have been distributed, and 240 youth educators have been trained. Much more needs to be done. 
 
Help us continue this life saving work.
 
Your support allows young people throughout the Americas to receive comprehensive care and services. In the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing the stories and faces of this project and invite you to share in our efforts to protect and empower young people. 

Learn more about our Member Associations in Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia.