S 2682
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2682
To direct United States funding to the United Nations Population
Fund for certain purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 29, 2008
Mr. REID (for Mrs. CLINTON) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To direct United States funding to the United Nations Population
Fund for certain purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `United Nations Population Fund Restoration
Act of 2008'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) More than 500,000 women worldwide die during childbirth every
year, with the overwhelming majority of these deaths occurring in
the developing world.
(2) More than 10,000,000 women annually experience serious complications
from pregnancy, such as obstetric fistula.
(3) Ensuring skilled attendants at birth, backed by emergency obstetric
care, could reduce maternal deaths by about 75 percent, yet one-third
of pregnant women in low-income countries do not have contact with
health personnel prior to giving birth.
(4) Approximately 3,000,000 girls face female genital mutilation and
cutting on an annual basis. These practices have both short- and long-term
physical and mental health consequences.
(5) At least 200,000,000 women want to use safe and effective family
planning methods, but are unable to do so because they lack access
to health care services and information about family planning.
(6) Women and children account for more than 75 percent of the refugees
and displaced persons at risk from war, famine, persecution, and natural
disaster. In a crisis or refugee situation, one in five women of childbearing
age is likely to be pregnant.
(7) Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the second leading
cause of health problems for women of reproductive age, causing pregnancy-related
pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer.
(8) The United Nations Population Fund, which is supported by contributions
from more than 180 countries from all regions of the world, carries
out activities in more than 150 countries to reduce maternal mortality
and morbidity, end female genital mutilation and cutting, reduce transmission
of STIs and HIV/AIDS, and ensure access to health care and essential
supplies for women and families impacted by emergencies.
SEC. 3. USE OF FUNDS.
Funds appropriated or otherwise made available for a United States contribution
to the United Nations Population Fund shall be used for the following
purposes:
(1) To provide and distribute equipment, medicine, and supplies, including
safe delivery kits and hygiene kits, to ensure safe childbirth and
emergency obstetric care.
(2) To make available supplies of contraceptives for the prevention
of unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV/AIDS.
(3) To prevent and treat cases of obstetric fistula.
(4) To reestablish maternal health services in areas where medical
infrastructure and such services have been destroyed or limited by
natural disasters, armed conflict, or other factors.
(5) To promote abandonment of harmful traditional practices, including
female genital mutilation and cutting and child marriage.
(6) To promote the access of unaccompanied women and other vulnerable
people to vital services, including access to water, sanitation facilities,
food, and health care.
END
