With further Senate action on the appropriations bill exempting contraceptives from the Global Gag Rule not likely until September, this is the perfect moment to highlight the importance of increasing access to contraceptives, which is crucial to global development and the fight against poverty.

Next year, for the first time in history, over half of the world’s population will live in urban areas, according to the U.N. report, State of World Population 2007. It is imperative that we not allow this increase in urbanization – most of which will occur in developing countries – to result in a dramatic increase in urban slums and the number of people living in poverty.

Since most of the growth in urban population is due to increased fertility, it is essential to better provide reproductive health services and to empower women through education and economic opportunity.  Janice Banaag, an eighteen-year-old mother who lives with her husband and newborn under a bridge in Manila, doesn't want to have another child until she and her husband can save more money. Tragically, planning one’s family is extremely difficult to do in Manila, where the mayor has banned contraceptives in public hospitals and health centers – making it nearly impossible for women like Janice to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and to plan the timing of their children.

Currently, over 200 million women in the developing world wish to prevent or delay pregnancy, but lack access to modern contraceptives. If these women – many of whom live in urban slums – had the access they desire and need, they could prevent unwanted pregnancy, curb child and maternal mortality and remain free from sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS, leading to longer, healthier lives. 

Passage of the Senate appropriations bill can help provide access to these life-saving supplies by exempting donated contraceptives from the Global Gag Rule. Since the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule in 2001, shipments of contraceptives have been stopped to over 20 developing countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East – the same areas that are now facing this increased urbanization.

Access to reproductive health programs and services is not only a fundamental right, it is key to eradicating poverty. PAI urges the Senate to pass the appropriations bill in its current form, providing the tools necessary for millions to rise out of poverty.