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. As the FY2009 budget goes to Congress for approval, it is urgent that we act now!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please help improve the health and rights of women around the world by increasing the current funding level for voluntary family planning programs and services to $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2009. The allocation for international family planning that President Bush submitted in the FY2009 budget request is minuscule when compared to the unmet needs of women in developing countries.

More than 200 million women around the world have no access to modern means of contraception. Each year, more than 500,000 women around the world die during pregnancy and childbirth. One in five of women seek abortions 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.

Please help end this tragedy. $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.

Protect the wellbeing of women around the world by doubling the current funding level for international family planning to $1 billion for 2009.

Thank you for your vital support.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 08, 2008