U.S. State Department Announcement
Announced April 3, 2017
Policy Summary
The U.S. State Department announced that it plans to withhold funds dedicated to the United Nations’ Population Fund (UNFPA). The Trump administration determined UNFPA violated the Kemp-Kasten Amendment of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The amendment forbids the use of American foreign aid money from being given to any organization that supports coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. The State Department identified UNFPA’s program in China, which they claim is complicit with the current “two-child policy’s” alleged coercive reproductive health practices, as being the reason for withholding U.S. funding from UNFPA. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The United Nations warns that this decision “could have devastating effects on the health of vulnerable women and girls and their families around the world”. The U.S. was the third largest donor to UNFPA in 2015. Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, criticized the decision, calling it “unacceptable”. She defended the work of UNFPA, stating “UNFPA does not fund or perform abortions or forced sterilizations anywhere in the world. Instead, the agency offers voluntary family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies which, in turn, empowers girls and women to pursue an education, earn an income, and live more prosperous lives”. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Donate to Friends of UNFPA – contribute to the support committee of the UN Population Fund.
- Center for Reproductive Rights – take action with the Center for Reproductive Rights to protect access to reproductive health in the U.S. and abroad.
This brief was compiled by Elizabeth Kiefer. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact elizabeth@usresistnews.org.
