New President, New Congress: What are the Implications for International Family Planning and Reproductive Health Programs?

Tuesday's U.S. election was truly historic and one that will have significant ramifications for U.S. domestic and foreign policies, including international family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH).  While a few Senate and House races have yet to be called, the results clearly bode well for issues we care about. 

We know that an Obama Administration and a more solidly pro-choice House and Senate signal an end to the destructive anti-contraception, anti-prevention, anti-evidence-based policies of the past eight years.  For example, it is very likely that President Obama in his first 100 days in office will rescind the Global Gag Rule and restore U.S. funding for UNFPA.  Both of these actions will be major steps forward in reclaiming America’s global leadership on FP/RH.  Beyond these policy issues, the outlook is less clear. 

Read more about international family planning issues in the new administration.

Coming Soon: PAI's New Documentary on Married Women and HIV!

Read more about The Silent Partner and its premiere!

PAI Travels to Tanzania to Investigate the Impact of U.S. Funding and Policies

The Policy Impact Project traveled to Tanzania in early October to assess the impact of U.S. family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) and HIV/AIDS funding and policy. The PAI team interviewed a range of U.S.-based and local NGOs, as well as key government officials and USAID mission staff. We also explored the potential for supporting FP/RH advocacy by Tanzanian organizations.

Read more about PAI's trip to Tanzania.

PAI Joins Asian Pacific Alliance Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

A delegation from PAI joined the Asian Pacific Alliance (APA) in Chiang Mai, Thailand last month to participate in their annual meeting. The meeting was an important opportunity for PAI to connect with partners in the APA and to discuss this year's theme, Refugees and Migrants and their Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Read more about PAI's partnership with the APA.

Read the blogs from the APA Meeting:
Notes from the Field: Advocacy Workshop in Thailand
Refugees and Migrants' Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health
Asia Pacific Alliance Spreads Its Wings
Regaining Success for a New Generation in Thailand

Highlights from PAI's Blog!

Catch the latest news and views from PAI on our blog!  Recent entries include:

• Mexico's Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Reproductive Rights: A message from PAI sub-grantee Equidad de Genero on the historic Mexican Supreme Court decision
• Population, Family Planning and Presidential Priorities: A look at the tough decisions our next president and Congress will have to make regarding family planning funding
• Gender-based Violence and the U.S. Presidential Race - What is the Connection?: A commentary on how female candidates in the recent U.S. Presidential race were treated by the media

Check out all these entries and more on PAI's blog!

Thank You for Supporting PAI!

With the holidays rapidly approaching, we would like to take a step back and thank you for supporting PAI. Every single donation we receive supports our work financially and also lets us know that there are individuals and foundations like you who believe in our mission. With your support, this year PAI released two publications focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, Reclaiming the ABCs and Comprehensive HIV Prevention: Condoms and Contraceptives Count, as well as our moving, new documentary, The Silent Partner: HIV in Marriage, which will premiere in Kenya later this month. Your contributions also helped PAI support a network of small NGOs, many in the developing world, through small grants, advocacy trainings and technical support. In many cases, these organizations would not have been able to continue their outreach in the communities they serve around the world if PAI had not provided this critical support.

Read more about how your contributions help women and families around the world.

Take advantage of the extended Tax Relief Act!

Giving through your Individual Retirement Account before the end of 2009 takes advantage of the Charitable IRA Rollover which permits taxpayers age 70½ and older to make tax-free charitable gifts totaling up to $100,000 per year from traditional IRAs and Roth IRA’s. This gift does count toward your annual IRA distribution requirement. PAI is an eligible charity for these gifts, but contributions must be made by December 31, 2009 to take advantage of the tax benefit. Contact Michele Duryea, Vice President for Development, for more information at mduryea@popact.org or 202-557-3400.

Join a 2009 PAI Friends’ Study Tour and go “behind the scenes” of international family planning in the field!

PAI has two exciting Study Tours planned for 2009. In May, PAI will lead delegates to Peru, one of Latin America's most breathtaking and culturally rich countries. We will explore the family planning and reproductive health needs of Peruvian women and meet the heroes who deliver services and contraceptives to Peru’s most marginalized. In August, PAI's Study Tour will travel to Kenya, a country known for its magnificent wildlife and ancient culture. Delegates will hear first-hand from HIV positive women and youth about their unique family planning needs and will interact with reproductive health leaders and experts dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention in their communities and country. Study Tour delegations will also spend time exploring the cultural and geographic wonders of both countries. For more information, contact Christine Bixiones at cbixiones@popact.org or 202-557-3425

Support PAI By Making an Online Donation!

Become a fan of PAI on Facebook!
Befriend PAI on MySpace!
Support PAI on Change.org!