TO: |
HEALTH, EDUCATION,
INTERNATIONAL EDITORS & NEWS ASSIGNMENT DESKS |
Youth
Urge Immediate Repeal of Global Gag Rule
Restrictions
on Family Planning Services Jeopardize the Health
and Lives of Youth Worldwide
Students Available Immediately For Interviews
WHAT: |
The House of Representatives
is expected to vote early next week on
an amendment to repeal the "global gag rule." Repealing
the "global gag rule" is a critical step
in ensuring that women and young people around
the world have access to the family planning services
they need to protect themselves from unintended
pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The Republican-controlled House International Relations
Committee voted to repeal the "global gag rule" on Wednesday,
May 2. The amendment to the State Department Authorization
Act, passed by a vote of 26-22, was introduced by Representative
Barbara Lee (D-CA) and supported by all 23 committee Democrats
as well as Republican Representatives Ben Gilman (NY), Jim
Leach (IA), and Amo Houghton (NY).
"When President Bush reinstated the 'global gag rule'
on his first full day in office, he restricted the right
of free speech, access to family planning, and the ability
of all people to live safe and healthy lives," said
Mai Pham, a sophomore at George Washington University and
a member of the International
Youth Leadership Council (IYLC). "I applaud the
members of Congress who are working to right the injustice
inflicted on my peers worldwide."
Members of the International
Youth Leadership Council of Advocates for Youth have
launched the yearlong "My Voice Counts" campaign
to mobilize students throughout the country to demand action
from the Bush Administration and Congress on the issues
of international family planning and global HIV/AIDS prevention. |
WHEN: |
Youth Council members
are available for interviews, beginning
Thursday, May 10. |
WHO: |
Mai
Pham, Student,
George Washington University and Member, IYLC
Naina Dhingra, Student, George Washington University and Member,
IYLC
Sean Barry, Student, University of Maryland College Park and
Member, IYLC |
The "global gag rule" restricts family planning
organizations in countries that receive U.S. funds from using
their own money to provide abortion services, counseling
or referral, or to lobby their own governments to change
abortion laws.
The International Youth Leadership Council consists of a
diverse group of Washington, DC area college students dedicated
to educating policy makers, the media and the American public
about the importance of increasing U.S. funding
for international family planning and global HIV/AIDS prevention.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/.
###
NOTE
TO REPORTERS, EDITORS, AND PRODUCERS: To set
up an interview with a Youth Council member, please contact
Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.
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