Another Blow to Reproductive Health

Once again, Nicholas Kristof is rightly appalled at another Bush administration policy that will jeopardize reproductive health and safety for some of the poorest people in the world.  Following its yearly decision to withhold funding for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the administration has now announced that it will not be providing any contraceptive devices to Marie Stopes International (MSI), a prominent global family planning organization.  The rationale, in fact, is the very same misperception that starves UNFPA of American funding.  An animated Sarah Wildman quotes the putative USAID defense:

"In light of the restrictions on USAID assistance and MSI's work as the major implementing partner of [UNFPA]'s programme in China, which supports China's family planning programme, USAID has concluded that it is not appropriate for MSI to receive USAID funded contraceptives and/or condoms from host country governments."

As Wildman clarifies, MSI does not even receive any direct USAID funding .  The broader problem, though, is the persistent delusion that UNFPA funds "forced abortions" in China.  I have debunked this outlandish myth here before, so I will save my breath and simply urge the next President to repeal the "global gag rule," fully funds reproductive health efforts, and sees UNFPA not as an enemy to be opposed, but as an ally to be supported in an important cause.