Take Action: Take Urgent Action - A Promise is a Promise!

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Message Recipient(s):

Ambassador Melanne Verveer
Ambassador Susan Rice

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Right now at the United Nations, Member States have a unique opportunity to shape the outcome document, currently being negotiated, which will be adopted by Presidents and Prime Ministers at the upcoming high-level MDG Summit in September. That is why we need your help now!

Take action by sending an urgent letter to the US Mission to the UN and the State Department, asking that the US government keep its promise and play a significant leadership role at the UN in ensuring that greater political and financial commitments are made to accelerate progress towards MDG 5b. Such commitments will help ensure universal access to reproductive health and improve the lives and wellbeing of women and girls around the world.

	(Edit Letter Below) I am pleased to learn of the advances that the current United States Administration has made in reinforcing its commitment to the reproductive health needs of women and girls, such as the temporary repeal of the Global Gag Rule; the creation of a Global Health Initiative, of which women's health is a central component; and the proposed increases in the 2011 budget for foreign assistance on family planning and reproductive health. However, there is much to be done to keep the promises that were made in 2000 at the United Nations by the 189 governments who adopted the Millennium Declaration. The US was one of those 189 countries and currently has the unique opportunity to ensure that foreign policy being negotiated at the United Nations reflects the policies and priorities of the current US administration. Universal access to reproductive health is key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs) because it is essential in reducing maternal mortality, preventing unwanted pregnancies, curbing the spread of sexuality transmitted infections (including HIV and AIDS), empowering women and girls and building a more sustainable world for all people. Yet progress towards MDG 5 and particularly 5b has been slow and uneven. US commitments to the Millennium Development Goals are integral to the empowerment of women around the world. This week, the US has the chance to shape the outcome document from the upcoming High-Level MDG Summit and to accelerate progress on reaching the goals that are lagging behind, particularly MDG 5b. I urge you to push for the strongest possible language in the outcome document, to ensure that progress in reaching MDG 5b is accelerated, and that specific action steps to achieve MDG 5b are mentioned. This is a crucial moment for the United States to demonstrate its full commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of women and girls, including their sexual and reproductive rights, as per existing international agreements. As someone who cares about global health and the wellbeing of women and girls, I hope you will make sure that the United States keeps it promise and provides leadership in achieving MDG 5b. Sincerely, [Your name] [Your address]